Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary health care provider to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or search online to find specialists who are competent to assess ADHD.
A professional will ask you questions about your current symptoms, however according to current guidelines, a diagnosis can't be determined without taking into account your past medical background. Your doctor may examine your teachers, parents or other adults who were close to you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people who suffer from ADHD don't realize they have it until they reach adulthood. They may have missed out on the diagnosis while they were young and then struggle with problems at work, home and at school. A diagnosis and treatment plan can assist them in getting their lives back on the right track.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle with focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to small details. They are more likely to act on impulse and are easily distracted. They might be unable to endure activities that bore them and frequently shift their focus from one task to another. This can result in missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent mistakes at school or at work.
The symptoms of adult adhd can be different for each person. They tend to appear in the early years, but can also show up as adolescence or adulthood. To be diagnosed with the disorder, the symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months and cause significant difficulties in multiple environments.
A doctor will look over your school report card to see whether there are any comments regarding your conduct or inefficiency. The doctor may also ask that the person being assessed discuss the situation with their parents. Adults who are being assessed by a doctor for ADHD should be honest and forthcoming about their concerns. They shouldn't hide their feelings because of fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women who suffer from ADHD can be omitted or misdiagnosed since their symptoms are not as obvious like those of men. The challenges faced by women with ADHD are often hidden due to the fact that they have to care for children or in positions which are more gender-specific. Symptoms of ADHD in women include not paying attention to important tasks, being slow to complete work in time, making numerous mistakes and unable to concentrate at work or at school. They are more likely to engage in fidgeting behavior like tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults with ADHD can still be successful in their personal and professional lives. They just need to learn how to deal with their issues and take advantage of the support they can access. They can also implement strategies to help them succeed, like an organizer or a calendar, as well as phone apps that have reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It is often difficult to discern the difference between adult ADHD and other problems that are commonplace like forgetting tasks or appointments. The difference is crucial, because if the disorder is not addressed, treated properly or not properly managed, it could lead to serious issues with work and social relationships which include financial problems and strained relationships.
A mental health professional who has special training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This could include psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or doctors (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family physicians) who specialize in psychiatry or neurology. Professionals with qualifications also know how to deal with co-existing disorders, like anxiety and depression, which are often associated with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. This will include a thorough review of the patient's medical background, personal and family background. The interview will include questions about how the patient's ADHD symptoms impact their work and relationships. It is essential that the person is honest and not hide any information.
It is also a good idea to discuss any issues that the person has faced in their work or home life since the time of their childhood. These can often reveal patterns that suggest ADHD. For example, many people with ADHD shift jobs frequently and have difficulty forming close relationships. Additionally, it's typical for adults with ADHD to have problems with money management and spend more than they should.
In some cases an assessment of adult ADHD may include other tests, including neuropsychological or psychological tests, to rule out any other possible causes for the issue. A person with ADHD could also have one of the learning disorders, like dyscalculia, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people with ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy, in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. They can help them learn to recognize their own disruptive behavior and thoughts, as well as develop strategies for dealing with them.
Get Help
As adults, many with ADHD have the same issues they faced in childhood: trouble with relationships and work, difficulty in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These issues usually result in a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. For many, the first step is to speak to a primary care physician. They may refer you to a mental healthcare professional who has experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that causes symptoms that mimic ADHD. He or she will interview you, look over your behavior and past history of your family and medical background, and employ questionnaires and psychiatric rating scales. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms are stress, depression, anxiety, some medications and alcohol abuse.
Adults with ADHD often have a hard to recognize that they suffer from the disorder. They've learned to conceal their symptoms and compensate for them, but they can have low self-esteem and confidence. Many women are better than men at hiding their symptoms, and be accustomed to being branded as a slacker, a goof-off or troublemaker.
In an ADHD assessment, your physician will examine your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They may also conduct interviews with your family and friends, as well as colleagues at work. They may also make use of old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD are pharmacological and behavioral (medication). The most common treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the non-stimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD can also aid. Some people suffering from ADHD can benefit from lifestyle changes like keeping a diary or planner and establishing routines. Others have success with counseling for families and marriages or a life coach who can help with time management and organization skills. Some people with ADHD might also benefit from a few adjustments at school or in the workplace. These can include extended deadlines and flexible time.
Find Support
adhd diagnosis in adults uk of ADHD can be stressful. It can be a first step towards finally taking control of symptoms that have been in your life for many years. Adult symptoms of ADHD could include having trouble managing school or work obligations, loosing important personal items, avoiding appointments, impulsively spending money not following instructions from your doctor and many more. These problems can lead to an ongoing stress level, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequate. A strong support system and following the best practices can make all the difference in the way you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, a lot people who had ADHD were incorrectly diagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding the right job for them, or failed their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They may have a lot of regrets about wasted opportunities and time.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is typically required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible family members are invited to the interview. The person is also asked to fill out questionnaires and scales and talk about their past. In order to be diagnosed, the person must have experienced at least five symptoms of inattention and/or five symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity before age 12.
Based on the individual's symptoms and psychological testing, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing may be required. This testing can give more information about the ways the person's ADHD affects their lives and can help determine whether there are any co-existing issues that need to be treated.
Treatment options for adult ADHD typically involve counseling for psychological issues (psychotherapy) as well as education and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy assists people to recognize and manage their ADHD and build the skills needed to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to change their negative thinking patterns and behavior. Family and marital counseling may be beneficial to those with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist to recommend a counsellor is the first step to finding a qualified counsellor. You can also contact the local psychology graduate school or a hospital at the university to obtain recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you feel comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.