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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough examination is necessary for determining an accurate diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers. The majority of people with ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder. Diagnosis Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's personal and professional lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment. A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine your medical history and family background to ensure that other medical conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms. Because people with ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat. When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe. Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly. Treatment The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be done either in person or via video calls. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will need to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical conditions which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. www.adhddiagnosis.top must be ruled out to establish a diagnosis. The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also interview those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences. A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will require evaluation and treated more carefully, as these conditions often occur in conjunction. If a professional believes that you need medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not suitable for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause unwanted side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills. If you have mental illness it is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD. Medication A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've found it difficult to reach your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been seeking. ADHD treatment for adults starts with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines whether you meet the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), 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 who are not treated for ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. “Getting a diagnosis will help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their difficulties and may help to reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them focus more productively on the areas where they excel,” Jaksa says. Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential side effects, which include insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions. Counseling Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can affect your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled later in life when their work and family obligations increased. To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two aspects of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college due to your inability to concentrate on your tests. Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it harder for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life, being forthright about them with your doctor can help speed up the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws. Regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may ask you to talk to people who knew you at this period and could conduct a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels. When you receive an diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before finding the right one. Keep a log of your progress and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as necessary.