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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed for determining the diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers. It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition. Diagnosis It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment. A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD. People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss important details. They may have trouble adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They are more likely to lose items that are essential for their work or activities, including tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD. When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and substance abuse. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe. Many people who suffer from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience as they realize the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others, and they can experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated. Treatment To receive treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis. The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also interview those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences. A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of anxiety or depression might require more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD. If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and how they affect your life. undiagnosed adhd adults used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not right for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or trigger uncomfortable adverse effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration, disappointment and inadequacy that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills. It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health services or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD. Medication If you are an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your full potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been seeking. The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning. Adults who are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. “Getting a diagnose can help these individuals get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel,” Jaksa states. Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of possible negative effects, which could include insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage. Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions. Counseling Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their parents and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their work and family responsibilities increased. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to study for tests. Women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help accelerate the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws. Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will verify that your symptoms started prior to age 12. They may ask you to speak to people who knew you at this time and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your memory and attention levels. After receiving a diagnosis, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.