The Complete Guide To How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step in getting control. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by parents 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 disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. They will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
Because people with ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life, as they can now see the reasons why they struggled in school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their problems and could be resentful over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or by video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will want to know your medical history and family mental health issues. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to determine if you have ADHD.
The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your issues impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions often coexist with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you need medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or cause unpleasant adverse side effects. Your doctor will need to know if take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, improve your time management and organizing abilities.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. how to diagnosis adhd will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and the challenges they face as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've found it difficult to reach your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been looking for.
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 will then 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He also says that constant stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting an assessment will help them understand the root of their difficulties, which may reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them concentrate more on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD might have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you're an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can negatively impact your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. The effects of ADHD can include 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 do well on tests.
Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life you can speed up the diagnosis process by being open with your doctor. You might also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD that you have will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they might also administer a series tests to test your attention and memory.
After receiving a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.