Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary care physician for a referral if you think you might have ADHD. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or use the internet to find professionals competent to assess ADHD.
A doctor will ask you questions about your current symptoms, however according to current guidelines, a diagnosis can't be made without also considering your past medical history. Your specialist may want to interview your parents, teachers or other adults who knew you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD do not realize they suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood. They may have missed the diagnosis while they were young and then struggle to cope with problems at home, work and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan could help them get their lives back on path.
Adults with ADHD have trouble focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to details. They are more likely to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They might also find that they cannot endure boring tasks and tend to shift their focus from one task to the next. This can result in missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent missteps at work or in school.
The symptoms of adult adhd are different for everyone. It is common for them to manifest in the early years of childhood, but can also appear in an adult or in adolescence. To be diagnosed with the disorder, the symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months and cause significant difficulties in multiple settings.
A doctor can examine your school report card to determine whether there are any remarks regarding your conduct or inefficiency. The doctor will also request the person being evaluated to talk with their parents. It is essential that adults who are being evaluated for ADHD discuss their issues openly and honestly with their doctor. They shouldn't hold back from fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women suffering from ADHD are often ignored or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less apparent than those of males. Their struggles can be hidden because of the responsibilities of caring for children or working in more traditionally gender-specific roles. Signs of ADHD for women include being absentminded about important tasks, being slow to complete work on time, committing frequent errors and unable to concentrate at school or in the workplace. They are also more likely to display fidgeting actions like bouncing their leg or tapping their feet.
Adults with ADHD can still be successful in being successful in their personal and professional life. They only need to learn to deal with their issues and to use the support that is available. They can also take advantage of strategies that will help them to achieve success, such as using a planner or a calendar and mobile apps that provide reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It is often difficult to discern the difference between adult ADHD and other daily difficulties, such as forgetting tasks or appointments. The difference is crucial as if the condition is not treated, mistreated or unmanaged, it can cause serious issues with work and social relationships such as financial issues and difficult relationships.
In general, a diagnosis of ADHD is made by a mental health professional who has specialized expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, and physicians (such a psychiatrists, neurologists or family doctors who specialize in neurology or psychiatry). Professionals who are certified are also acquainted with co-existing disorders that typically occur in conjunction with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
A thorough evaluation to determine if a person has ADHD will require an extensive interview to look over the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will involve questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's work and relationships. It is crucial that the person is honest and not conceal any details.
It is also a great idea to bring up issues that the person could have encountered at work or in their home life prior to the time of their childhood. In many instances, these problems can be indicators that the person suffers from ADHD. Many people with ADHD struggle to form close relationships and change jobs often. Adults with ADHD often have trouble managing their finances and often spend more than necessary.
In certain situations, an evaluation for adult ADHD could include additional tests such as neuropsychological, psychological or tests for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the person's issues. A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from one of the learning disorders, such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Certain people with ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. These therapies can help people recognize their own thoughts and behaviors and develop coping mechanisms to manage their behavior.
Getting Treatment
As adults, many who have ADHD have the same issues that they had when they were children: problems with relationships and work, difficulty completing schoolwork or securing employment. These issues often require an appointment with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many is to consult their primary care provider. He or she could refer you to a mental health professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD for adults.
Your doctor will perform an extensive examination to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. He or she will ask you questions, review your behavior and history as well as inquire about your family history and medical history, and employ the psychiatric scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also look at your physical health, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms are anxiety, depression, stress, certain medications and substance misuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have a harder than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They've learned to hide their symptoms and make excuses for them, but they can still suffer from low self-esteem and confidence. Women are more adept in hiding their issues than men, and may be used to being labeled as a goof-off, slacker or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will look at your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will interview you, along with your family and work colleagues. They may also use old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). Medicines that aid in the balance of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters are the most frequently prescribed treatments for ADHD. They include stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine, in addition to nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or education on ADHD may also be helpful. Some people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes by establishing regular routines and using journals or a planner. Others find success through marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can help with time management and organizing skills. Some people with ADHD might also benefit from a few adjustments at work or in school. These include extended deadlines and flexible schedules.
Finding Support
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It could be the first step to finally gaining control over issues that have been affecting your life for years. adhd diagnosis adult can include difficulty maintaining a schedule for work or school obligations and losing personal belongings, missing important appointments, spending money impulsively and not following medical advice and much more. These issues can cause an ongoing stress level, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. Being supported by a strong network and adhering to the most effective practices can make all the difference in how you cope with your issues.
In the past, a lot of people with ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job that was suitable or failing in their educational endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be left with many regrets over missed opportunities and lost time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD usually involves a comprehensive interview with an expert in mental health, including family members if possible. In addition, the patient will be asked to complete scales and questionnaires, as well as to talk about their history. 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 a person's symptoms and psychological testing and symptoms, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing may be required. This test will provide more information about how ADHD affects the individual and help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Treatment options for adult ADHD generally include psychological counseling (psychotherapy), education, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy helps individuals learn to manage and understand their ADHD and develop skills to cope with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to change their negative behavior patterns and thinking patterns. Family and marriage counseling can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who are having difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step to find the right counselor is to seek an appointment from your physician or an expert. You can also contact a local university-based hospital or graduate school in psychology to receive recommendations. Select a psychologist with whom you feel comfortable and who has experience working with adults.