Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD You should consult your primary care physician for a referral. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or search online to find professionals who are competent to assess ADHD.
Professionals will inquire about your symptoms right now however, according to current guidelines, it's impossible to diagnose without taking into account your childhood history. Your doctor may interview your parents, teachers or other adults who were close to you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD do not know they have the disorder until they reach adulthood. They might have missed out on the diagnosis while they were young and then struggle to cope with issues at home, work and at school. A diagnosis and treatment plan could help them get their lives back on the right track.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing, planning and paying attention to small details. They are more likely to act on impulse and can easily be distracted. They may also find that they cannot sit through boring activities and often shift their focus from one task to the next. This could result in them not being able to attend important events or deadlines, as well as frequent missteps at school or at work.
The signs of adult adhd can be different for everyone. It is common for them to manifest in the early years, but can also show up as an adult or in adolescence. To be considered to have the disorder the symptoms must be present for at least six months, and cause significant difficulty in a variety of environments.
In certain instances doctors will look over school report cards to look for any remarks about behavior problems or a inability to work or underachievement in comparison to your potential. The doctor may also request that the person being assessed discuss the situation with their parents. Adults being evaluated by a clinician for ADHD should be honest and forthcoming about their concerns. They shouldn't hide their feelings from fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often ignored or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less apparent than those of men. Their struggles are often concealed by the responsibilities of caring for children or by working in more traditionally gender-specific roles. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to forgetting important tasks or being unable to remember and late in completing work, and to making mistakes. They may also lack focus in school or at the workplace. They are also more likely to exhibit fidgeting behaviors like bouncing the foot or tapping it.
Adults suffering from ADHD can still be successful in having success in their personal and professional life. They just need to learn how to deal with their issues and make use of the help they can access. They can also employ strategies that can assist them in their goals, such as the use of a planner or calendar, or phones with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to determine the distinction between adult ADHD and other problems that are commonplace such as forgetting to complete appointments or tasks. The difference is crucial, because if the disorder is not treated, treated poorly or unmanaged, it can lead to serious problems with work and social life, including financial difficulties and strained relationships.
A mental health professional who has specific training and experience in treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This could include psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and doctors (such as neurologists, psychiatrists or family doctors) who specialize in psychiatry or neurology. Qualified professionals also understand co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which are frequently associated with ADHD.
A thorough evaluation to determine if someone has ADHD will require an in-depth interview to go over the patient's personal, medical and family history. The interview will include questions regarding the impact of ADHD symptoms on one's job and relationships. It is important that the person be honest and not conceal any information.
It is also recommended to raise any issues that the person has experienced in their work or home life since 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 bonds and changing jobs often. In addition, it is common for people with ADHD to have issues with managing their money and to spend more than they ought to.
In some cases an assessment of adult ADHD may include other tests, including neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests, to rule out any other reasons for the issue. A person suffering from ADHD may also have a learning disorder 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 and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle changes and treatment methods. These therapies can help people recognize their own problematic thoughts and behaviors, as well create coping strategies to manage these issues.
Get Treatment
As adults, many people who have ADHD remain afflicted by the same issues they faced when they were children: problems with relationships and work, as well as difficulties in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These issues often result in medical referrals to get a diagnosis and treatment. For many patients, the first step is talking to a primary care physician. The doctor will likely refer you to a mental health professional who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that causes symptoms that mimic ADHD. They will interview you, look over your behavior and history of your family and medical history, and utilize questionnaires and psychiatric rating scales. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including blood pressure and heartbeat. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include stress, anxiety, depression as well as certain medications and substance abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be unable to recognize the disorder. They may have learned how to hide their symptoms or make excuses for them but still have low confidence and self-esteem. Women are more adept in hiding their issues than men, and can be viewed as a slacker, goofy or troublemaker.
In an ADHD assessment, your doctor will examine your symptoms and how they impact your life. The doctor will interview you, as well as your family members and work colleagues. He or she will use various tools, including old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD is treatable with both the use of pharmacological as well as behavioral (behavioral) treatments. The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. These include stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the non-stimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral therapies may also be helpful, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and education on ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD can benefit from a change in their lifestyle by establishing routines and keeping journals or a planner. Others have success with counseling for families and marriages or a life coach who can aid with time management and organizing skills. Certain people with ADHD also benefit from accommodations at school or at work like extended deadlines and flex time, which makes it easier to achieve the goals of performance and be successful.
Finding Support
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful. It could also be the first step to finding a way to manage the symptoms that be affecting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms could include difficulties maintaining a schedule for work or school obligations as well as losing personal items and missing important appointments, making purchases impulsively or not following medical guidelines and many more. These issues can result in anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequacy. Being supported by a strong network and following the best methods can make all the difference in the way you deal with your issues.
In the past, a lot of people who had ADHD were misdiagnosed. They might have had trouble finding a job they liked or failed in their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could have many regrets over missed opportunities and lost time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD typically involves a thorough interview with a mental health professional including family members when possible. The patient will also be required to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as 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 the results of psychological tests and symptoms, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing may be required. This testing can give more details about how the person's ADHD affects their lives, and can help determine whether there are any co-existing disorders that require treatment.
Treatment options for adult ADHD generally include psychological counseling (psychotherapy) as well as education and occasionally, medications. Psychotherapy helps individuals recognize and manage their ADHD and build the skills needed to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to change 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 request a referral from your doctor or a specialist. diagnosis of adhd can also reach out to a local psychology graduate school or university hospital to get recommendations. Select a psychologist who you are comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.