Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have ADHD, consult your primary care physician for a referral. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or use the internet to find professionals competent to assess ADHD.
A professional will ask you questions regarding your current symptoms. However, under current guidelines, a diagnosis can't be made without also considering your past medical history. Your doctor might ask you to speak with your teachers, parents, or other adults that knew you when you were an infant.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD do not know they have the condition until adulthood. They may not have been diagnosed as children and have difficulty coping with difficulties at school, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan will help them get their lives back in order.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble staying focused, planning or paying attention to details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and are easily distracted. They may also find that they can't remain focused on boring tasks and tend to shift their attention from one task to the next. This could lead to them missing important events, poor time management and frequent missteps at work or at school.
Adult adhd symptoms are different for every person. The signs of adhd in adults are different for everyone. They usually appear in the early years of childhood, but they can be recognized as adolescent or adult. To be diagnosed with the disorder the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and create significant problems in multiple situations.
In some cases the doctor may review school reports to look for comments concerning behavior issues or lack of effort or inadequacy compared to your potential. The doctor will also request the person being evaluated to talk with his or her parents. Adults being evaluated by a clinician for ADHD should be honest and forthcoming about their problems. They shouldn't hide their feelings from fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women suffering from ADHD are often ignored or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of men. The challenges faced by women with ADHD are often hidden because they have to care for their children or working in jobs which are more gender-specific. Signs of ADHD for women include forgetting or being absentminded about important tasks, being slow to complete work in time, making frequent mistakes and lacking focus at school or in the workplace. They are more likely to be fidgety such as tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD can still achieve success in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to manage their challenges and make use of the help they have available. They can also use strategies that can assist them in their goals, such as an organizer or a calendar, and phones with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to tell the difference between adult ADHD and other issues that arise in everyday life such as forgetting to complete appointments or tasks. The difference is important as if the condition is not treated, mistreated or not properly managed, it could result in serious social and work problems, including financial difficulties and troubled relationships.
In the majority of cases the case, a diagnosis of ADHD must be made by an expert in mental health who has specialized expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or doctors (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family physicians) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. They also have a deep understanding of co-existing conditions, including anxiety and depression, which are often present with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. This will include a review of the patient's medical background, personal and family background. The interview will ask questions regarding how the individual's ADHD symptoms impact their work and relationships. It is crucial for the person to be honest and not conceal any details.
It is also an excellent idea to bring up any problems that the person has had in their home or work life since the time of their childhood. In many cases, these issues can be indicators that the person suffers from ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to form close relationships and switching jobs often. Additionally, it is common for people with ADHD to have problems with managing their money and to spend more than they ought to.
In certain cases an assessment of adult ADHD might include additional tests, such as neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities tests to rule out other causes for the person's problem. A person suffering from ADHD may also have an underlying learning disorder, like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle changes and treatment methods. These can help people recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate strategies for dealing with them.
Get Treatment
Many people suffering from ADHD experience the same difficulties as they did when they were children issues with relationships, and at work, issues finishing their schoolwork or obtaining employment. These problems often result in the need for medical referrals to diagnose and treatment. The first step for many people is to speak to their primary care provider. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional who has experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will perform an extensive examination to determine whether you suffer from ADHD or another condition that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. The doctor will interview you, review your behavior and history as well as ask about your family and medical history, and use psychiatric rating scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also look at your physical health, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms are anxiety, depression, stress, certain medications and alcohol abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a hard than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. adhd adult diagnosis uk might have learned to hide their symptoms or make excuses for them, but they still have low self-esteem and confidence. Many women are better in hiding their symptoms than men, and may be viewed as a goof-off, slacker or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will interview you, and your family and work colleagues. He or she will make use of a variety of tools, like old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD are pharmacological and behavioral (medication). Medications that help balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters are the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as the non-stimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral therapies can also help with cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Some people with ADHD might benefit from lifestyle changes by using a planner or a journal and setting up routines. Family and marriage counseling, or a life-coach who can help with time management and organization skills, can be beneficial for other people. Certain people suffering from ADHD can also benefit from a variety of accommodations at work or school for extended deadlines or flex time, which makes it easier to meet targets for performance and achieve success.
Find Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can be the first step towards getting control of the symptoms that may have been impacting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms can include difficulty maintaining a schedule for school or work obligations as well as losing personal items, missing important appointments, spending money in a hurry, not following medical instructions, and more. These issues can lead to long-term stress, low confidence and feelings of unworthiness. Having a good support system and adhering to the best methods can make all the difference in how you deal with your issues.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They might have had trouble finding a job they liked, failed in their educational pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be overwhelmed by regrets over missed opportunities or lost times.
A thorough interview with a mental healthcare specialist is typically required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also invited to the interview. In addition, the patient will be asked to complete questionnaires and scales, and to discuss their history. 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 person and their symptoms, additional psychological or neuropsychological testing may be required. The tests can provide more information on how ADHD affects the individual and can help determine if there are co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated with psychotherapy (psychotherapy) and educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy helps individuals understand and manage their ADHD and improve their ability to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thought patterns and behavior. Family and marriage counseling can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who have trouble maintaining relationships.
The first step to find the right counselor is to ask for an appointment from your doctor or a specialist. You can also call a local university-based hospital or graduate school in psychology to receive recommendations. Select a psychologist you are comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.
