Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have ADHD, ask your primary care doctor for an appointment. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or search online to find specialists who are competent to assess ADHD.
The professionals will inquire about your symptoms today, but according to current guidelines, it is impossible to diagnose without taking into account your childhood history. Your doctor may request to talk to your teachers, parents, or other adults that knew you when you were a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD do not know they have the condition until they reach adulthood. They may have missed the diagnosis when they were children and then struggle with issues at work, home and at school. A diagnosis and treatment plan can help them get their lives back on the right track.
Adults suffering from ADHD are unable to focus, planning and paying attention to details. They are more likely to act on impulse and become easily distracted. They might also find it difficult to sit through activities that bore them and frequently shift their attention from one thing to another. This can result in missed events, poor time-management and frequent mistakes at school or work.
The symptoms of adult adhd vary for each person. It is common for them to manifest in the early years, but can also appear in the adolescent years or even as adults. To be diagnosed with the disorder the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cause significant difficulty in a variety of environments.
A doctor can examine your school report card to determine if there are any comments regarding your conduct or lack of effort. The doctor will also ask the person being evaluated to talk with his or her parents. It is essential that adults who are being assessed for ADHD discuss their issues openly and honestly with the physician. They shouldn't be scared of shame or embarrassment.
Women who suffer from ADHD can be omitted or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are not as evident as those of males. adhd diagnosis in adults uk are often concealed because of the responsibilities of caring for children or being in gender-specific roles. Signs of ADHD for women include being absentminded about important tasks, not being able to finish work on time, committing frequent errors and having trouble staying focused at work or at school. They tend to engage in fidgeting like tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD can still be successful in their professional and personal lives. They only need to learn to deal with their issues and take advantage of the help that is available. They can also use strategies that will aid them in their success, such as a planner or a calendar, and phone apps with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to tell the difference between adult ADHD and other issues that arise in everyday life like forgetting tasks or appointments. The difference is important, because if the disorder is not treated, mistreated or not properly managed, it could lead to serious problems with work and social life, including financial difficulties and strained relationships.
A mental health professional who has particular training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This could include psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or physicians (such as neurologists, psychiatrists or family physicians) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. They are also experienced with co-existing illnesses that frequently occur along with ADHD like depression and anxiety.
A thorough interview will be conducted to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD. This will include a review of the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will include questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's work and relationships. It is important for the person to be honest and not hide any details.
It is also a great idea to bring up problems that the person may have encountered at work or in their personal life prior to the time of their childhood. These can often reveal patterns that could indicate ADHD. Many people with ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and change jobs frequently. Adults with ADHD often struggle with managing their money and tend to spend more than they should.
In certain instances an assessment of adults with ADHD might include additional tests, including neuropsychological or psychological tests to rule out other possible causes for the problem. A person with ADHD may also have one of the learning disorders, such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
In addition to treatment methods and lifestyle changes, some people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy and/or psychotherapy. These can help people discover their own thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate coping strategies for managing them.
Finding Treatment
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from the same problems similar to those they faced when they were kids such as problems with relationships and at work, difficulty completing their schoolwork or finding work. Often these problems lead to medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. For many patients, the first step is to talk to a primary care provider. The doctor will likely refer you to a mental health professional who is experienced in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine if you have ADHD or another disorder that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. He or she will inquire about your concerns, review your behavior and history and inquire about your family history and medical history, and utilize questionnaires and psychiatric scales. The doctor will also examine your physical health including your heartbeat and blood pressure. Other conditions that can be causing similar symptoms include anxiety, depression, stress and certain medications as well as the use of drugs.
Adults with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the disorder. They've learned to conceal their symptoms and to compensate for them, but they could have low self-esteem and confidence. Women are often more adept than men at concealing their symptoms, and may have become accustomed to being labelled as a slacker, a goof-off or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will interview you, and your family members and colleagues. He or she will make use of various tools, such as old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD can be treated using both the use of pharmacological as well as behavioral (behavioral) treatments. Medicines that aid in the balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are the most frequently prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate, and atomoxetine, in addition to nonstimulants.
Some behavioral treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD can also aid. Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes by keeping a diary or planner and establishing routines. Marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can help with time management and organizing skills, are beneficial for others. Certain people suffering from ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at school or work for extended deadlines and flexible time, which makes it easier to achieve the goals of performance and be successful.
Finding Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful. It can be a first step to finally managing the symptoms that have been in your life for many years. The signs of adult ADHD could include having trouble keeping up with work or school obligations, misplacing important personal belongings, not making appointments, impulsively spending money not following medical guidelines and more. These problems can lead to anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequacy. Being supported by a strong network and adhering to the best techniques can make a huge difference in how you cope with your symptoms.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD were misdiagnosed or not recognized. They might have had trouble finding a suitable job or failed in their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be overwhelmed by regrets over missed opportunities and lost times.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD typically requires a thorough interview with an expert in mental health and family members, if possible. The person is also required to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as 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.
Depending on the individual and their symptoms, additional psychological or neuropsychological testing may be performed. The tests will provide more information about how ADHD affects the individual and also help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Treatment options for adult ADHD typically involve counseling for psychological issues (psychotherapy) as well as education and occasionally, medications. Psychotherapy helps people comprehend and manage ADHD and build skills for coping with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may be beneficial to those with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step in locating an experienced counselor is to ask for an appointment from your physician or a specialist. You can also reach out to a local psychology graduate school or a university hospital for recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you trust and who has experience working with adults.