A Vibrant Rant About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out 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 condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the condition, according to Adler. The doctor will interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and look over your medical and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They may also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD It is crucial to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed them with the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event because they can finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and could not achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming their problems on others or themselves and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will inquire about your job and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medications or other treatments. This is because certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with greater care since these conditions can coexist.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medicine you require is determined by your symptoms and how they affect your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from 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.
If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. classroom behavior or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have experience working with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been seeking.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply 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 often suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues and may help to alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them focus more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in every area of your life. Procrastination and other signs can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder or because they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine if you have ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college because you're unable to study for tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time period. They may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
If you're given the diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before finding the right one. Keep a record of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.