Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you have ADHD, ask your primary physician for a referral. getting a adhd diagnosis can also seek recommendations from friends and family, or search online for professionals qualified to conduct ADHD evaluations.
A doctor will ask you questions about your current symptoms. However, under current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be made without also considering your childhood background. Your doctor might examine your teachers, parents or other adults who knew you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD do not know they have the disorder until they reach the age of adulthood. They may have missed out on the diagnosis when they were children and then struggle with issues at home, work and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan can help them to restore their lives to order.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to the details. They are more likely to act on impulse and are easily distracted. They might also discover that they can't remain focused on boring tasks and often shift their attention from one task to the next. This can result in missed events, poor time-management and frequent mistakes at work or school.
The signs and symptoms of adult adhd can be 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. The symptoms should be present for at least 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple settings to be diagnosed.
In some instances, a doctor will review school report cards to look for comments about behavior problems or a inability to work or inadequacy compared to your potential. The doctor might also suggest that the person being assessed talk to his or her parents. It is essential that adults who are being evaluated for ADHD discuss their issues openly and honestly with the clinician. They shouldn't be scared of shame or embarrassment.
Women with ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are not as evident as those of males. Their struggles may be concealed due to the demands of caring for children or being in gender-specific roles. Women with ADHD tend to forgetting important tasks or being absentminded, to being late in completing tasks, and making mistakes. They might also have trouble with focus in school or at work. They are also more likely to display fidgeting actions like bouncing their leg or tapping their feet.
Adults who suffer from ADHD can still be successful in their professional and personal lives. They just need to learn how to manage their challenges and make use of the help they have available. They can also make use of strategies that make it easier to succeed, such as using a planner, calendar and phone apps that offer reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The signs of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from the normal issues that arise in everyday life, such as forgetting appointments or slipping up on tasks. But the distinction is crucial since, if left untreated, neglected or treated poorly the disorder may cause serious social and work-related issues such as financial difficulties and troubled relationships.
In general the diagnosis of ADHD is made by a mental health professional who has specialized knowledge and experience in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and doctors (such neurologists, psychiatrists or family doctors who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). Professionals who are certified are also acquainted with co-existing conditions that often occur alongside ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
A test to determine if a person has ADHD will involve a thorough interview to review the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will include questions regarding the impact of ADHD symptoms on one's job and relationships. It is crucial to be honest and not hide any information.
It is also a great idea to bring up issues that the person might have faced at workplace or in their daily life since the time of their childhood. In many cases, these can be indicators that the person is suffering from ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to establish close relationships and switching jobs often. Adults with ADHD often struggle with managing their money and spend more than they need to.
In certain instances an evaluation for adults with ADHD could include additional tests such as psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the individual's issues. For instance, a child who suffers from ADHD might also have a learning impairment, like dyscalculia or dyslexia. 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 changes, some people suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy and/or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people learn to recognize their own disruptive behavior and thoughts and develop coping strategies for managing them.
Get Treatment
As adults, many people who have ADHD have the same issues they faced in childhood: trouble with relationships and work, difficulties getting through school or finding work. These issues often require the need for medical referrals to diagnose and treatment. For many, the first step is to speak with a primary care doctor. They will likely refer you to an expert in mental health 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 that mimic ADHD. They will interview you, look over your behavior and past history as well as ask about your medical and family background, and employ the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms include depression, anxiety, stress, certain medications and alcohol abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They may have learned to hide their symptoms or to compensate for them but still suffer from low self-esteem and confidence. Many women are better in hiding their symptoms than men, and can be viewed as a goof-off, slacker or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will examine your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The doctor may also interview your family members and you as well as your colleagues at work. They will employ different tools, like old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The most common treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These include stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the non-stimulant atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral therapies can also help with cognitive behavioral therapy and education on ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes by using a planner or a journal and setting up routines. Counseling for families and marriage, or a life-coach who can assist with time management and organizing skills, are beneficial for other people. Certain people with ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments in the workplace or school. This includes extended deadlines and flexible hours.
Finding Support
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be stressful. It can also be the first step in finding a way to manage the symptoms that may have been impacting your life for years. The signs of adult ADHD may include difficulty managing school or work obligations, loosing important personal belongings, not making appointments, spending money impulsively, failing to follow medical instructions and more. These issues can lead to long-term stress, low confidence and feelings of inadequacy. Following the most effective methods and having a strong support network can make a significant difference in the way you manage your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people who had ADHD were not diagnosed. They may have struggled to find a job that suited them, failed their educational pursuits and had trouble finding long-term relationships. They could be left with regrets about missed opportunities and wasted time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD usually involves a comprehensive interview with a mental health professional, including family members should it be possible. In addition, the patient will be asked to complete 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.
Based on the individual and their symptoms, additional psychological or neuropsychological testing may be conducted. This testing will provide more information about how ADHD affects the individual and can help determine if there are co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated by psychotherapy (psychotherapy) as well as educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and improve their strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that teaches people to alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial to those with ADHD who are having difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step in locating an experienced counselor is to ask for an appointment from your doctor or an expert. You can also contact a local university-based hospital or graduate school in psychology to receive recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you trust and has experience treating adults.