Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers. It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition. Diagnosis Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment. A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them. Because people with ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD. It is essential to rule out other conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when diagnosing the condition. Mild, moderate and severe are the three categories for adults with ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others and may experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated. Treatment The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis. The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be especially interested in if you had symptoms of ADHD before age 12. They may also speak with people who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories. A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. This is because certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression need to be evaluated and treated more carefully because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction. If a professional believes that you require medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause undesirable side consequences. Your healthcare provider will need to know if are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is a crucial component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organization skills. If you have a mental illness, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health service to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD. Medication A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've been unable to achieve your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been looking for. ADHD treatment for adults starts with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the requirements 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 often suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also cause feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting diagnosed can help these individuals understand the causes of their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states. The best treatment for adults with ADHD is typically a combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and help with organization. In many instances they can boost motivation and improve mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases. Counseling If you have untreated ADHD it could cause a variety of problems in all areas of your life. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/ and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older when their family and work obligations increased. To determine ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your everyday life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to learn for tests. Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws. Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will want to know the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They may ask you to talk with people who were around you during this time period. They may also perform a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels. After receiving an assessment, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that is most effective for them. It is recommended to keep a journal of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can help adjust your treatment plan when needed.