Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step in taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Since people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening in class or at work. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk lose important items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent in 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 at home. They may feel guilty for blameing other people or themselves for their troubles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done either in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. adhd diagnosis uk adults is because many physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and need to be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you had signs of ADHD before age 12. They might also interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they are not for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or cause bothersome adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if are taking any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.
It is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have previous experience working with clients. You can check with your local mental health service or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've struggled to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the requirements for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. 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 with untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation can help them understand the root of their issues and may help to alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. In many instances they can improve mood and increase motivation. Some of the side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover more effective methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause a variety of problems in every area of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder or because they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can speed up the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you at this time and may also perform a series of tests to determine your memory and attention levels.
If you're given the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different therapies before they can find the one that works for them. Keep a record of your progress, and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.
