Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary care physician for a referral if suspect you may have ADHD. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or use the internet to find professionals who are qualified to evaluate ADHD.
Professionals will ask about your symptoms now however, according to current guidelines, it is impossible to diagnose without taking into account your childhood history. Your specialist may want to talk to your parents, teachers, or other adults who knew you as a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people who suffer from ADHD don't realize they have it until later in life. They may have missed the diagnosis while they were young and then struggle to cope with issues at work, at home and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan will help people restore their lives to order.
Adults with ADHD have trouble focusing, planning and paying attention to the details. They are more likely to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They might also find that they are unable to remain focused on boring tasks and will often shift their attention from one task to the next. This can lead to missed events, poor time-management and frequent mistakes at school or work.
The symptoms of adult adhd can be different for each person. It is common for them to manifest in the early years, but can also show up as an adult or in adolescence. The symptoms should be present for a minimum of 6 months and create significant difficulties in a variety of situations to be able to be diagnosed.
A doctor will review your school report card to see if there are any comments about your behavior or inefficiency. The doctor may also ask that the person being assessed talk to his or her parents. Adults being evaluated by a doctor for ADHD must be honest and open about their problems. They shouldn't be shy out of 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 may be concealed due to the demands of caring for children, or working in more traditionally gender-specific roles. Symptoms of ADHD in women include not paying attention to important tasks, being slow to finish work on time, making numerous mistakes and unable to concentrate at school or in the workplace. They are more likely to be fidgety like tapping their feet or bouncing their legs.
Adults with ADHD can still be successful in achieving success in both their professional and personal lives. They just need to understand how to deal with their issues and make use of the help they can access. They can also take advantage of strategies that make it easier to succeed, such as using a planner, calendar and mobile apps that provide reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The symptoms of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from the normal issues that arise in everyday life, like forgetting appointments or losing track of tasks. The difference is important, because if the disorder is not addressed, treated properly or not properly managed, it could result in serious social and work problems which include financial problems and strained relationships.
In the majority of cases, a diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a mental health professional who has specialized expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and physicians (such a psychiatrists, neurologists, or family doctors who specialize in neurology or psychiatry). They are also experienced with co-existing disorders that typically occur along with ADHD like depression and anxiety.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. This will involve a thorough review of the patient's medical background, personal and family history. The interview will include questions about how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their work and relationships. It is important that the person is honest and not conceal any details.
It is also a great idea to discuss any issues that the person could have faced at work or in their home life prior to the time of their childhood. In many cases, these issues can reveal patterns that suggest that the person has ADHD. For instance, a lot of people with ADHD have a tendency to change jobs frequently and have trouble making close connections. Additionally, it is common for people with ADHD to have problems with money management and spend more than they ought to.
In some instances, an evaluation for adult ADHD could include additional tests like neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the individual's issues. A person suffering from ADHD may also have 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.
Some people with ADHD might benefit from cognitive behavior and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle changes and treatment strategies. adhd in adults undiagnosed can help people learn to recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors and develop strategies for dealing with them.
Receiving Treatment
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from the same problems like they did as children such as problems with relationships and at work, issues in completing their schoolwork or finding jobs. These problems often require a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for a lot of people is to consult their primary care provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional who is experienced in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will perform an extensive examination to determine whether you suffer from ADHD or another condition that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The doctor will ask you questions, review your history and behavior and inquire about your family and medical history, and utilize psychiatric scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include depression, anxiety and stress, as well as certain medications and addiction to substances.
Adults with ADHD often have a harder to recognize that they suffer from the disorder. They may have learned to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them, but they still suffer from low confidence and self-esteem. adhd in adults diagnosis are better than men in hiding their symptoms, and may be accustomed to being branded an inept, lazy or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will evaluate your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will interview you, along with your family members and work colleagues. They will employ various tools, such as old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The use of medications to regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are the most frequently prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the non-stimulant atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral treatments may also be helpful, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Certain people with ADHD can benefit from a change in lifestyle like using a planner or journal and setting up regular routines. Others can benefit from marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can assist with time management and organization skills. Some people with ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at school or work like extended deadlines and flex time, which makes it easier to meet targets for performance and achieve success.
Find Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can be the first step to finding a way to manage the issues that have been impacting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms can include difficulty keeping up with school or work obligations as well as losing personal items and missing important appointments, spending money impulsively or not following medical guidelines and many more. These problems can lead to anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequate. Having adhd in adults diagnosis and following the best techniques can make a huge difference in how you cope with your symptoms.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD were misdiagnosed or not recognized. They might have had trouble finding a job they liked, failed in their educational pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be overwhelmed by regrets for missed opportunities and lost times.
An extensive interview with a mental health professional is usually required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible family members are invited to the interview. In addition, the person will be asked to complete questionnaires and scales, 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.
Based on the symptoms of a person and psychological testing, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing could be necessary. This testing can provide more details on how ADHD affects the individual and also help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD generally include psychological counseling (psychotherapy) as well as education and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and improve their strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may also be beneficial for people with ADHD who have difficulties maintaining relationships.
The first step in locating a qualified counselor is to request a referral from your doctor or an expert. You can also contact an area hospital affiliated with a university or graduate school in psychology to get recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you feel comfortable with and who has experience in treating adults.