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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult For adults who find themselves struggling with their personal or professional lives, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step in getting control. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers. It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition. Diagnosis It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment. A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD. Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in the seat. When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed him or her with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Many people with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not obvious. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems and may also be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly. Treatment To receive treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be conducted in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will want to know your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of mental and physical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to determine if you have ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work, as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you displayed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences. A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD. If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try may not work or cause undesirable side negative effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is also an important component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing skills. It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have worked with other clients. You can contact your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD. Medication If you're an adult who has struggled 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 maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been looking for. iampsychiatry.com to treat ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. 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 frequently have coexisting disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem he adds. “Getting diagnosed can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel,” Jaksa states. Adults with ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These drugs can improve moods and increase motivation in many cases. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD might have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage. Discuss with your doctor about whether you would be suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers discover more effective methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases. Counseling Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or because they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but had difficulty with their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations. In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to learn for tests. Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If, however, you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can speed up the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws. Whatever kind of ADHD you have Your mental health professional will want to determine if your symptoms were present before age 12. They may ask you to talk to people who were around you during this period and could take a number of tests to evaluate your attention and memory abilities. After receiving a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended that you keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment plan when needed.