Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have ADHD, consult your primary care physician for the referral. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or go online to find professionals who are competent to assess ADHD.
A professional will ask you questions about your current symptoms, however according to current guidelines, a diagnosis can't be made without also considering your childhood background. Your specialist may want to 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 realize they suffer from the condition until they reach the age of adulthood. They might not have been diagnosed as children and are struggling to deal with problems in school, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan will assist them to restore their lives to order.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing, planning and paying attention to details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and to become easily distracted. They may also find that they are unable to remain focused on boring tasks and will often shift their focus from one task to the next. This can result in missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent mistakes at work or at school.
The signs and symptoms of adult adhd can be different for everyone. They tend to appear in the early years of childhood, but can also show up as adolescence or adulthood. The symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple situations to be able to be diagnosed.
A doctor will examine your school report card to determine whether there are any remarks about your behavior or inefficiency. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to speak with their parents. It's important that adults who are being evaluated for ADHD discuss their issues openly and honestly with the clinician. They shouldn't hold back because of fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women with ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males. The struggles of women with ADHD are often hidden because they have to care for children or in jobs which are more gender-specific. Symptoms of ADHD among women include being absentminded about important tasks, being slow to complete work on time, making numerous mistakes and lacking focus at work or at school. They are more likely to engage in fidgeting behavior such as tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD can still achieve success in their personal and professional lives. They need to learn how to handle their challenges and make use of the help they can get. They can also use strategies to help them succeed, like an organizer or a calendar, as well as phone apps that have reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The symptoms of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from normal problems that occur in everyday life, like forgetting appointments or losing track of tasks. However, the distinction is important because, if left untreated, unmanaged or mistreated the disorder may result in serious work and social problems, including financial difficulty and troubled relationships.
In the majority of cases the diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a mental health professional who has special expertise and training in treating the condition. This could include clinical psychologists, therapists and doctors (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family doctors) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. Qualified professionals also understand co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which are often present with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. This will include a thorough review of the patient's medical, personal and family history. The interview will also include questions about how the patient's ADHD symptoms affect their relationships and work. It is important that the person be honest and not conceal any information.
It is also recommended to bring up any problems that the person has experienced in their personal or professional life since childhood. These are often signs that indicate ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming close bonds and changing jobs frequently. Additionally, it's common for people with ADHD to have issues with money management and spend more than they ought to.
In some cases an assessment of adults with ADHD could include other tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological tests to rule out other possible causes for the problem. A person with ADHD could also have an underlying 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.
In addition to treatment strategies and lifestyle adjustments, some people suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people learn to recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors and develop coping strategies for managing them.
Getting Treatment
Many people with ADHD experience the same difficulties like they did as children: problems with relationships and at work, issues finishing their schoolwork or obtaining employment. These issues usually lead to an appointment with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many people is to talk to their primary healthcare provider. 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 may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. He or she will interview you, look over your behavior and past history as well as ask about your family and medical history, and utilize 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 may be causing similar symptoms include depression, anxiety, stress, certain medications and substance misuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They've learned to hide their symptoms and compensate for their symptoms, but they may still be afflicted by low self-esteem and confidence. Many women are better at hiding their symptoms than men and could be used to being labeled as a slacker, goofy or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will evaluate your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. He or she may interview your family members and you as well as your colleagues at work. He or she will use various tools, like old report cards, to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD can be treated with both the use of pharmacological as well as behavioral (behavioral) treatments. adhd diagnosis adults for ADHD is medication that assists in balancing neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. They include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine, as well nonstimulants.
Some behavioral treatments may also be helpful with cognitive behavioral therapy and education on ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD can benefit from a change in their lifestyle, such as setting regular routines and using a planner or journal. Marriage and family counseling, or a life-coach who can help with time management and organizational skills, are effective for others. Certain people with ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments at school or in the workplace. This includes extended deadlines and flexible hours.
Finding Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can be the first step towards managing the symptoms that have been affecting your life for many years. adult adhd diagnosis of adult ADHD can include trouble staying on top of school or work obligations, loosing important personal items, avoiding appointments, impulsively spending money, failing to follow medical instructions and more. These problems can lead to chronic stress, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequate. Following the best techniques and having a solid support network can make a significant difference in the way you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people suffering from ADHD were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. They might have had difficulty finding a job that suited their needs, failed in their academic pursuits and had trouble finding long-term relationships. They may be filled with regrets over missed opportunities and lost times.
A thorough interview with a mental health professional is typically required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible family members are invited to the interview. The person is also asked to complete questionnaires and scales and talk about 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 could be necessary. This testing can give more details about how the individual's ADHD affects their lives, and also help determine if there are any co-existing issues that need to be treated.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychotherapy (psychotherapy) as well as educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy helps people understand and manage their ADHD and develop skills to cope with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful for individuals 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 an expert. You can also contact the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or graduate school of psychology to obtain recommendations. Choose a psychologist with whom you feel comfortable and who has experience working with adults.