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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult For adults who find themselves struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD is a significant step in gaining control. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers. It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition. Diagnosis Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience with ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment. Typically an expert in mental health will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the condition, says Adler. He or she will then ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't causing them. People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD. It is essential to rule other conditions out when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to consider how severe a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed him or her with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe. Many people who suffer from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. 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. Some may even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and may experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated. Treatment To seek treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to talk with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or through a video chat. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and need to be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made. The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories. A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you require medications 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 depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently coexist. If the professional believes you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side consequences. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you are taking any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills. It's important to seek out a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have previous experience working with clients. You can search ADDitude or visit your local mental health services to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD. Medication If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or are having difficulty completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis may be the answer you've been looking for. ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. diagnosing adhd or psychiatrist determines whether 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, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over inadequate performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, he adds. “Getting a diagnose can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to focus more effectively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa states. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. In many cases, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of possible adverse effects, such as insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they are often difficult to manage. Discuss with your doctor about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions. Counseling Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life. Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older as their family and work responsibilities increased. To determine ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of an inability to concentration and organizational skills, or being put on academic probation in college due to the inability to study for tests. Women tend to be better in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws. Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you have, will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were around you during this period and could perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities. If you're given an diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different therapies before they can find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a log of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as necessary.