Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary doctor for a referral if suspect you may have ADHD. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or use the internet to find professionals qualified to evaluate ADHD.
The professionals will inquire about your symptoms now, but according to current guidelines, it is impossible to determine the cause without taking into consideration your childhood history. Your specialist may want to talk to your teachers, parents or other adults who knew you as a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD do not realize they have it until adulthood. They may have missed out on the diagnosis when they were children and then struggle to cope with issues at home, work and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan will help them restore their lives to order.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble focusing, planning or paying attention to detail. They tend to act on impulse and to become easily distracted. They might also find that they can't sit through boring activities and often shift their attention from one task to the next. This can result in missing important events, poor time management and frequent mistakes at work or in school.
The signs of adult adhd are different for each person. The signs of adult adhd differ for everyone. They usually appear in childhood, but may be observed in an adult or adolescent. The symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple settings to be diagnosed.
In some cases doctors will look over school reports to find out if there are any comments concerning behavior issues or lack of effort or underachievement in comparison to your potential. The doctor will also request the person being evaluated to speak with their parents. adhd diagnosis in adults being evaluated by a professional for ADHD must be honest and open about their concerns. They shouldn't hold back because of fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often omitted or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less apparent than those of males. Their struggles are often concealed because of the responsibilities of caring for children or working in more traditionally gender-specific roles. Signs of ADHD among women include forgetting or being absentminded about important tasks, not being able to complete work on time, making numerous mistakes and lacking focus at work or at school. They are also more likely to display fidgeting behaviors like bouncing the leg or tapping their feet.
Adults with ADHD can still be successful in their personal and professional lives. They only need to learn how to handle their challenges and utilize the support that is available. 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 symptoms of adult ADHD can be difficult to differentiate from the normal issues that arise in daily life, like forgetting appointments or having trouble keeping track of tasks. The difference is important as if the condition is not treated, treated poorly or unmanaged, it can lead to serious problems with work and social life which include financial problems and troubled relationships.
In general the case, a diagnosis of ADHD should be determined by a mental health professional with specialized training and experience in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or physicians (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family doctors) who specialize in psychiatry or neurology. They are also experienced with co-existing illnesses that frequently occur in conjunction with ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
A test to determine if a person has ADHD will require an in-depth interview to go over the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will include questions about how the patient's ADHD symptoms impact their relationships and work. It is essential that the person is honest and not hide any information.
It's also a good idea to bring up problems that the person may have had at work or in their home life prior to the time of their childhood. These may reveal patterns that indicate ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and change jobs frequently. Additionally, it is typical for adults with ADHD to have issues with managing their money and to spend more than they ought to.
In certain instances an assessment for adult ADHD could include additional tests such as neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the person's problems. A person suffering from ADHD could 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 might benefit from cognitive behavior and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. These can help people recognize their own thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate strategies to manage them.
Receiving Treatment
Many people with ADHD suffer from the same problems as they did as children: problems with relationships and at work, difficulties completing their schoolwork or finding jobs. Many times, these issues can lead to medical referrals for a diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many is to speak to their primary healthcare provider. adult diagnosis of adhd may refer you to a mental healthcare specialist who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD for adults.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another disorder that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. He or she will interview you, look over your behavior and past history, ask about family and medical history, and utilize the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also assess your physical health including your heartbeat and blood pressure. Other conditions that can trigger similar symptoms are depression, anxiety and stress, as well as certain medications and substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD often have a hard than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They might have learned to hide their symptoms or compensate for them but still suffer from low confidence and self-esteem. Women are often better than men in hiding their symptoms, and have gotten used to being branded a slacker, goof-off or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your doctor will look at your symptoms and their impact on your life. He or she may interview you and your family and colleagues at work. He or she will make use of a variety of tools, including old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). The use of medications to regulate levels of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals, are the most frequently prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate, and atomoxetine, as well nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral treatments can help as well with cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Some people with ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes like keeping a diary or planner and setting up regular routines. Others have success with counseling for family and marriage or a life coach who can assist with time management and organizational skills. Some people with ADHD can also benefit from accommodating arrangements at school or in the workplace. This includes extended deadlines and flexible schedules.
Find Help
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be stressful. It can be the first step towards finally getting control of the symptoms that have been affecting your life for many years. Symptoms of adult ADHD may include difficulty managing work or school obligations, loosing important personal items, missing appointments, impulsively spending money, failing to follow medical guidelines and more. These issues can lead to chronic anxiety, low confidence and feelings of unworthiness. Following the most effective practices and having a good support system can make a significant impact on how you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people suffering from ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They might have had difficulty finding the right job for their needs, failed in their academic endeavors, and had difficulty finding long-term relationships. They could be left with regrets about missed opportunities and wasted time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD typically requires a thorough interview with a mental health professional including family members should it be possible. In addition, the person is required 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.
Depending on a person's symptoms and the results of psychological tests and symptoms, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing may be required. This test can provide more details on how the person's ADHD affects their lives and also help determine if there are any co-existing disorders that require treatment.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychotherapy (psychotherapy) as well as educational programs, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and improve their strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thinking patterns and behavior. Marriage and family counseling may be beneficial for those with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step in locating an experienced counselor is to request an appointment from your physician or a specialist. You can also call the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or graduate school in psychology to receive recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you trust and who has experience in treating adults.