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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed to make the diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

Most people suffering from ADHD have symptoms since childhood, and it is not unusual to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. See NIMH for suggestions on talking to your health care provider about the condition.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's professional and personal lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD or other disorders, they may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

Since people with ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose important items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is essential to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be similar to the symptoms of 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. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a private diagnosis of adhd could be a life-changing experience because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their struggles and could be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will require information about your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before an assessment is made.

The expert will inquire about your work and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms affect your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their memories.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or other treatment. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment, because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a professional believes that you require medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medicine you need will depend on your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause undesirable adverse effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how do you diagnose adhd in adults 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 can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can check with your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've found it difficult to achieve your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been seeking.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria for adult adhd and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for adhd in adults for ADHD are applicable 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 with untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also cause feelings of self-doubt, he says. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root of their struggles and may help to alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases these drugs can enhance motivation and mood. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in those who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.

Consult your physician about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can affect your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step in reducing these negative impacts 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 disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some might have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood when their work and family obligations increased.

To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to inability to do well on tests.

Women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms started prior to age 12. They may ask to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also administer a series tests to measure your attention and memory.

After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress, and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.