Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary care physician for a referral if you think you might have ADHD. You can also get recommendations from family and friends or search the internet for specialists who are able to conduct ADHD assessments.
A professional will ask you questions about your current symptoms, but under current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be determined without taking into account your past medical history. Your specialist may want to interview your parents, teachers or other adults who were familiar with you as a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD don't realize they have it until adulthood. They might not have been diagnosed until they were children and are struggling to deal with difficulties at the classroom, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan will assist people restore their lives to order.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to small details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and are easily distracted. They might be unable to focus on tasks that bore them, and frequently shift their focus from one task to another. This can lead to delayed events, ineffective time management and frequent blunders at school or at work.
The symptoms of adult adhd can be different for everyone. It is common for them to manifest in childhood, but they can also appear in an adult or in adolescence. The symptoms are required to be present for at least 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple settings to be diagnosed.
In some instances, a doctor will review school report cards to look for comments concerning behavior issues or inability to work or inadequacy compared to your potential. The doctor may also request to have the person being evaluated speak to their parents. It is essential that adults who are being evaluated for ADHD discuss their problems in a candid and honest manner with the physician. They shouldn't be afraid of shame or embarrassment.
Women with ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed since their symptoms are not as evident like those of men. The struggles of women suffering from ADHD are often hidden due to the fact that they are responsible for caring for children, or work in positions that are more gender-specific. The signs of ADHD for women include not paying attention to important tasks, not being able to complete work on time, making frequent mistakes and unable to concentrate at work or at school. They tend to engage in fidgeting behavior like tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are still capable of having success in their personal and professional life. They need to learn how to handle their challenges and use the support they can get. They can also employ strategies that can aid them in their success, such as an organizer or a calendar, as well as phone apps that have reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It is often difficult to discern the distinction between adult ADHD and other issues that arise in everyday life like forgetting tasks or appointments. The difference is crucial as if the condition is not treated, mistreated or neglected, it can cause serious issues with work and social relationships, including financial difficulties and difficult relationships.
In the majority of cases the diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a mental health professional who has specialized expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, therapists and doctors (such as neurologists, psychiatrists or family doctors) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. Professionals who are certified are also acquainted with co-existing conditions that often occur alongside ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
A thorough evaluation to determine if a person has ADHD will involve an extensive interview to look over the patient's personal, medical and family history. The interview will involve questions regarding the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's work and relationships. It is essential that the person be honest and not conceal any information.
It's also a good idea to bring up problems that the person could have faced at workplace or in their daily life since the time of their childhood. These may reveal patterns that indicate ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and switching jobs frequently. Additionally, it is common for adults with ADHD to have problems with managing money and spending more than they should.
In certain situations, an evaluation for adult ADHD could include additional tests such as psychological, neuropsychological or tests for learning disabilities to determine the cause of the person's issues. For example, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from an impairment in learning, such as 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 techniques and lifestyle changes, some people suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people understand their own disruptive behaviors and thoughts and help them create coping strategies to manage them.
Finding Treatment
As adults, many people with ADHD have the same issues that they had in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, difficulties completing schoolwork or securing employment. These issues usually result in a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for a lot of people is to talk to their primary care provider. He or she will probably recommend you to an expert in mental health who is experienced in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that causes symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They will ask you questions, review your behavior and history and inquire about your family history and medical history, and employ psychiatric scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms include depression, anxiety and stress and also certain medications and addiction to substances.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult to recognize that they suffer from the disorder. They may have learned to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them, but they still have low self-confidence and self-esteem. adhd diagnosis in adults are more adept than men at concealing their symptoms. They may have gotten used to being labelled an inept, lazy or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will look at your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. He or she will likely interview you, along with your family members and colleagues. He or she may utilize old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). Medicines that aid in the balance of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals, are the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine as well as nonstimulants.
Some behavioral treatments can help as well with cognitive behavioral therapy and education on ADHD. Certain people with ADHD can benefit from a change in lifestyle like using a planner or a journal and setting up routines. Marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can assist with time management and organizational skills, are effective for other people. Certain people suffering from ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at school or at work like extended deadlines and flex time, which makes it easier to achieve the goals of performance and be successful.
Find Help
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can be the first step towards finally gaining control over symptoms that have been impacting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms could include difficulties maintaining a schedule for school or work obligations and losing personal belongings or appointments, making purchases impulsively and not following medical advice and many more. These issues can result in chronic stress, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. Following the most effective methods and having a strong support network can make a significant difference in how you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, many people with ADHD were incorrectly diagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job they liked or failed in their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They might be replete with regrets for missed opportunities and lost moments.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is usually required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible family members are invited to the interview. The patient will also be required to fill out questionnaires and scales and discuss 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, further psychological or neuropsychological testing may be performed. This test can provide more information on how ADHD affects the individual and help determine if there are co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated by psychotherapy (psychotherapy), educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy helps people comprehend and manage ADHD and develop strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people to change negative thoughts and behaviors. Family and marriage counseling can be beneficial to people who suffer from ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
A doctor or specialist to recommend a counsellor is the first step to finding a licensed counsellor. You can also reach out to the local psychology graduate school or a university hospital for recommendations. Choose a psychologist who you are comfortable with and who is experienced in treating adults.