Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary care physician to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. You can also seek recommendations from friends and family, or search online for experts who are qualified to conduct ADHD assessments.
A professional will ask you questions about your current symptoms, but under current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be determined without taking into account your past history. Your specialist may ask to talk to your parents, teachers or other adults who knew you as when you were a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD don't realize they have it until later in life. They may not have been diagnosed until they were children and have difficulty coping with issues at the classroom, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan could assist them in getting their lives back on the right track.
Adults with ADHD have trouble focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to the details. They are more prone to act on impulse, and are easily distracted. They may also find it difficult to focus on tasks that bore them, and frequently shift their attention from one task to another. This can lead to unplanned events, poor time management and a lot of mistakes at school or work.
The signs of adhd in adulthood differ for each individual. They tend to appear in childhood, but they may also manifest as an adult or in adolescence. To be considered to have the disorder the symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months and cause significant difficulty in a variety of environments.
In some cases, a doctor will review school reports to find out if there are any comments concerning behavior issues or inability to work or underachievement in comparison to your potential. The doctor will also ask the person being evaluated to speak with his or her parents. Adults who are being assessed by a doctor for ADHD should be honest and forthcoming about their problems. They shouldn't be afraid of shame or embarrassment.
Women who suffer from ADHD can be overlooked or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are not as obvious as those of males. The challenges faced by women with ADHD are often hidden because they have to care for their children or working in positions which are more gender-specific. Women with ADHD tend to be distracted by important tasks or being unfocused or being late to complete work, and to make mistakes. They might also have trouble with concentration in school or in work. They are more likely to engage in fidgeting behavior like tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to achieve success in their professional and personal lives. They need to be able to deal with their issues and to use the support that is available. They can also employ strategies to help them succeed, like a planner or a calendar, and phone apps with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The signs of adult ADHD can be difficult to differentiate from the normal issues that arise in daily life, such as a tendency to forget appointments or slipping up on tasks. The difference is crucial as if the condition is not treated, mistreated or neglected, it can result in serious problems with work and social life which include financial problems and difficult relationships.
In general the diagnosis of ADHD must be made by an expert in mental health who has specialized training and experience in treating the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and doctors (such neurologists, psychiatrists, or family doctors who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). Qualified professionals also understand co-existing conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that are often associated with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD. This will involve an examination of the patient's medical, personal and family history. The interview will ask questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's work and relationships. It is essential for the person to be honest and not hide any information.
It's also a good idea to bring up issues that the person could have had at work or in their personal life since childhood. In how is adhd diagnosed in adults , these can reveal patterns that suggest that the person suffers from ADHD. Many people with ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and switching jobs often. Additionally, it's common for adults with ADHD to have issues with managing money and spending more than they should.
In certain instances an assessment for adult ADHD could include additional tests like neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities to determine the cause of the person's problems. For example, a person who suffers from ADHD might also have a learning disability like dyscalculia or dyslexia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral and/or psychotherapy, in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. These therapies can help people discover their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate strategies to manage them.
Seek Treatment
As adults, many people who suffer from ADHD remain afflicted by the same issues that they had in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, difficulties in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These issues often can lead to medical referrals to get a diagnosis and treatment. The first step for a lot of people is to speak to their primary care physician. The doctor will likely refer you to an expert in mental health who has experience diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination to determine if you suffer from ADHD, or some other condition that causes symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They will interview you, look over your behavior and history as well as ask about your family and medical history, and utilize psychiatric rating scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health including blood pressure and heartbeat. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms include stress, anxiety, depression as well as certain drugs and substances.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They may have learned to conceal their symptoms or compensate for them, but they still have low confidence and self-esteem. Women are often better than men in hiding their symptoms, and may have become accustomed to being called as a slacker, a goof-off or troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. He or she may interview your family members and you and colleagues at work. They will employ various tools, including old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication that assists in balancing brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They include stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine, as well nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral therapies like cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD, can also help. Some people with ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes by keeping a diary or planner and setting up regular routines. Others can benefit from counseling for family and marriage or a life coach who can aid with time management and organizational skills. Certain people suffering from ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at school or at work, such as extended deadlines and flex time, which can make it easier to achieve performance goals and achieve success.
Find Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It could also be the first step in finding a way to manage the issues that be affecting your life for years. Adult ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying on top of the demands of work or school as well as losing personal items, missing important appointments, spending money impulsively or not following medical guidelines and much more. These issues can lead to chronic anxiety, low confidence and feelings of inadequate. Following the most effective methods and having a strong support network can make a big difference in the way you manage your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people with ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They might have struggled finding a suitable job or failed in their academic endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. They might be replete with regrets for missed opportunities and lost times.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD typically requires a thorough interview with an expert in mental health and family members, when possible. In addition, the person will be asked to fill out questionnaires and scales, and to discuss their past. 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 the individual and their symptoms, further tests for neuropsychological or psychological testing could be required. This test will provide more information about how ADHD affects the individual and can help determine if there are co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychotherapy (psychotherapy), educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and develop techniques for managing it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Marital and family counseling can also be beneficial for people with ADHD who have difficulties maintaining relationships.
The first step to find a qualified counselor is to request a referral from your doctor or a specialist. You can also contact a local university-based hospital or graduate school in psychology to get recommendations. Pick a doctor you feel comfortable with and who has experience in treating adults.