Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD, ask your primary physician for the referral. You can also seek suggestions from your family and friends or look online for specialists who are able to conduct ADHD assessments.
Professionals will inquire about your symptoms now however, according to current guidelines, it's impossible to diagnose without considering your past experiences as a child. Your specialist may want to interview your teachers, parents or other adults who knew you as a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD don't realize they suffer from the condition until adulthood. They may not have been diagnosed as children and struggle to cope with issues at the workplace, at school or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan can assist them in getting their lives back on the right track.
adult adhd diagnoses with ADHD struggle with focusing, planning and paying attention to details. They are more prone to make decisions on impulse and are easily distracted. They may be unable to endure activities that are boring and often shift their attention from one task to another. This could lead to delayed events, ineffective time management and frequent mistakes at school or at work.
The signs of adhd in adulthood differ for each individual. It is common for them to manifest in the early years of childhood, but can also appear in the adolescent years or even as adults. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple settings before they can be identified.
In certain instances, a doctor will review school reports to find out if there are any comments regarding behavior issues or a lack of effort and inadequacy compared to your potential. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to speak with their parents. It is essential that adults who are being assessed for ADHD discuss their concerns in a candid and honest manner with the clinician. They shouldn't be shy because of fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women suffering from ADHD are often ignored or misdiagnosed since their symptoms are less noticeable than those of males. The struggles of women suffering from ADHD are often hidden because they have to care for children, or work in jobs which are more gender-specific. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting important tasks or being absentminded, to being late to finish work, and to making mistakes. They might also have trouble with focus in school or at work. They tend to be fidgety such as tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to achieve success in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to handle their challenges and make use of the help they can access. They can also take advantage of strategies that make it easier to achieve success, such as using a planner or calendar and phone apps that offer reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The signs of adult ADHD can be difficult to differentiate from normal problems that occur in everyday life, such as a tendency to forget appointments or having trouble keeping track of tasks. But the distinction is crucial since, if left untreated, neglected or treated poorly the disorder may lead to serious work and social problems which include financial issues and troubled relationships.
In general the diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a mental health professional with specialized training and experience in treating the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and doctors (such neurologists, psychiatrists, or family doctors who specialize in neurology or psychiatry). Qualified professionals are also familiar with co-existing conditions that often occur in conjunction with ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
An evaluation to determine if someone has ADHD will involve an in-depth interview to go over the patient's personal, medical and family background. The interview will also include questions about how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their relationships and work. It is crucial for the person to be honest and not hide any information.
It is also a good idea to bring up any problems that the person has experienced in their work or home life since the time of their childhood. These can often reveal patterns that indicate ADHD. Many people with ADHD struggle to form close relationships and change jobs frequently. In addition, it is common for people with ADHD to have problems with managing money and spending more than they should.
In certain cases an assessment of adults with ADHD could include other tests, such as neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests, to rule out any other possible causes for the difficulty. For example, a person who suffers from ADHD may also have a learning disability such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
In addition to treatment techniques and lifestyle adjustments Certain people suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people understand their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors and create coping strategies to manage their behavior.
Receiving Treatment
As adults, many who suffer from ADHD have the same issues that they had when they were children: problems with relationships and work, difficulty getting through school or finding work. Many times, these issues lead to medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many people is to talk 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 perform an extensive exam to determine whether you suffer from ADHD or another condition that could cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. They will inquire about your concerns, review your history and behavior as well as inquire about your family and medical history, and employ questionnaires and psychiatric scales. The doctor will also assess your physical health, including your heartbeat and blood pressure. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms are depression, anxiety, stress, some medications and substance misuse.
Adults with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the disorder. They may have learned to hide their symptoms or compensate for them, but they still suffer from low confidence and self-esteem. Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, and may be viewed as a slacker, snob or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will examine your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will interview you, as well as your family members and work colleagues. He or she will make use of different tools, like old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). Medications that help balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters are the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the non-stimulant atomoxetine.
Some behavioral treatments can also help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Certain people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle modifications, such as setting regular routines and using an organizer or journal. Others have success with counseling for families and marriages or a life coach who can assist with time management and organizational skills. Certain people with ADHD might also benefit from a few adjustments at work or in school. These can include extended deadlines and flexible time.
Finding Support
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience. It could be the first step in getting control of the symptoms that may have been impacting your life for a number of years. Adult symptoms of ADHD can include trouble keeping up with school or work obligations, misplacing important personal items, missing appointments, impulsively spending money not following medical guidelines and more. These issues can cause chronic stress, low self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. Being supported by a strong network and adhering to the best practices can make all the difference in how you deal with your issues.
In the past, a lot people who had ADHD were not diagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job that was suitable or failed in their academic endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. They may have many regrets over missed opportunities and wasted time.
An extensive interview with a mental health professional is usually required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also present during the interview. In addition, the person will be asked to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as 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.
Based on the individual's symptoms and psychological testing and symptoms, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing may be required. This test can provide more details on how ADHD affects the individual and also help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychological counseling (psychotherapy), educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy helps people comprehend and manage ADHD and improve their skills for coping with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches people to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may be beneficial to those with ADHD who are having difficulty maintaining relationships.
A doctor or specialist for a recommendation is the first step towards finding a qualified counselor. You can also contact an area hospital affiliated with a university or graduate school in psychology to get recommendations. Select a psychologist you feel comfortable with and has experience treating adults.