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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step in getting control. A thorough assessment is required to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This involves examining school records as well as questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, he will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your family history and medical background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

Because people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They are more likely to lose items that are essential for their work or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is essential to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid problems can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to consider the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing revelation because they finally understand why are so many adults being diagnosed with adhd they struggled in school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and can feel grief over lost opportunities that could have been achieved in the event that they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video conference. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will need to know your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be addressed before an assessment is made.

The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or other treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will require evaluation and treated with more care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.

If a medical professional believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not suitable for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause unwanted negative side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you are taking any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an important component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.

If you have a mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face and also have previous experience working with clients. You can contact your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your maximum potential in your work or in maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is 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 frequently have coexisting disorders, including anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can result in feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting diagnosed will help them get a better understanding of the causes of 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 typically treated with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These drugs can improve moods and increase motivation in a variety of cases. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your doctor about whether you are suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies aid researchers in discovering better methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Others might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood when their work and family obligations increased.

To be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. The effects of adhd uk diagnosis can include losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to concentrate on your tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

No matter what kind of ADHD you have the mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began prior to age 12. They may suggest that you talk to people who were close to you at the time, and may also conduct a series of 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. Most people will try several different therapies before they can find the one that works best for them. Keep a record of your progress, and make sure to consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan if needed.