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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 diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or consult a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. The doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them.

People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and can miss important details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They may also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.

It is important to rule out other conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying him or her with the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in their childhood because it's not obvious. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at 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 had in the event that they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video calls. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be addressed before a diagnosis can be made.

The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They will be especially interested in if you had signs of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history will help the doctor decide whether you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they are not right for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or cause uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, as well as improve your time management and organization abilities.

If you suffer from mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can check with your local mental health service or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis for adhd in adults is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been seeking.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychiatrist or psychologist 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the root of their struggles and may help to alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.

Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in discovering better ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or because they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their work and family obligations increased.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to concentrate on your tests.

Women tend to be better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult them to get a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

No matter what kind of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present before age 12. They may ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time and may also take a number of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.

After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. Keep a record of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan if needed.