12 Facts About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD To Make You Think Twice About The Water Cooler
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling with their personal or professional lives and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD could be a crucial step in taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the condition, says Adler. They will interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical and family history to determine if other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider how severe a person's symptoms are when diagnosing them with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not obvious. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life as they understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality when they were properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD in adults The first step is to talk with a healthcare professional. This can be accomplished in person or by video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your lifestyle and work as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also wish to interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be assessed and treated with greater care, as these conditions often occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or cause unpleasant side effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, as certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizational skills.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to seek out a specialist therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can inquire with your local mental health services or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to reach your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been seeking.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can result in feelings of low self-esteem, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnosis can help them gain perspective on the root causes of their struggles which can help reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to adhd diagnostic regarding whether you are suitable for clinical trials of new treatments or medications. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in every area of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with them in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose 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 study for tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life speaking up with your doctor can help speed up the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will be looking to determine if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak with people who were close to you at this time, and may also conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.
After you are given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before they find the one that works for them. Keep a journal of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan if needed.