Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. Check out NIMH for suggestions on talking with your health professional regarding the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause chaos in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he will talk to you about your symptoms and review your medical history and family background to ensure that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They have a difficult time adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They frequently lose essential items for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in the seat.
It is important to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or home. They might even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on themselves or others and can feel sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to have an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will need to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be eliminated in order to establish a diagnosis.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also interview those who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough assessment and treatment, as these conditions often coexist with ADHD.
If adhd uk diagnosis believes you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. Your doctor will need to know if take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management skills.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. adult adhd diagnosis uk can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential at work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or are having difficulty completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also result in feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting a diagnose can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to focus more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organization. In many cases these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to various problems throughout your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reduce the negative impact and regaining control over your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Others might have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled later in life when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you have will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they might also administer a series tests to measure your memory and attention.
After receiving a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a log of your progress and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.