Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many, the symptoms of ADHD continue throughout their life. These symptoms can have a significant impact on work and family as adults.
To receive a diagnosis of ADHD your symptoms must have started in the early years of your life (technically before the age of 12). Your evaluator reviews your medical and personal background.
You may also want to talk to your friends, family members or coworkers. This can help them see your issues from different perspectives.
Diagnosis
In the same way as diagnosing children adults with ADHD must meet certain requirements to be diagnosed. The symptoms must be present for at least 2 years and cause significant difficulties in the way they function. This issue could be related to school, work, relationships, or everyday activities. People can have mild moderate, severe, or mild ADHD symptoms. Mild symptoms don't interfere with everyday functioning and are often mistaken for other conditions, like anxiety or depression. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions in social or work-related interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to maintain relationships or hold an employment.
ADHD sufferers can reach a tipping-point when they're unable to handle the demands of everyday life. They might become disorganized and make careless mistakes. They could also be impulsive and hyperactive which can cause them to be unable to meet goals and obligations. They might have difficulty recalling information or forgetting what they have been told.
If you're having difficulty in your daily life and think you might have ADHD, ask for a referral to a mental health provider or specialist. Your GP could refer you to a psychiatrist or other professional who can do an assessment. You could also ask a therapist you know or someone from your family to recommend someone with experience in ADHD evaluations.
A health care provider or psychologist may want to review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and discuss your current problems with you. They'll also inquire about your experience with ADHD as a child. They'll want to speak to the person you live with and any other important people in your life, as well, like your spouse or parents. They'll use this information to decide if you have ADHD and what type of ADHD you have--inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD The psychiatrist will seek special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. This is a step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will work with your GP and you to ensure that the medication works.
Medication
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications however it's not the only option. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes can also aid. NIMH suggests talking with your doctor to find out more about the options available to you.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your childhood and the way you live your life today, and will conduct physical and psychological tests. (These aren't usually required). Your evaluator might also request that you speak to your spouse, family members, or any other close to you to get an alternative view of your behavior.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD is based on whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. They have to be present for a minimum of six months and must interfere with two major areas of your life, such as work and relationships. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria. This means that your symptoms are not caused by a mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
NIMH suggests talking with your health care provider about your options, including medication and behavioral strategies. A lot of primary care doctors regularly evaluate and treat ADHD in children however adults who suspect they may have ADHD should request an appointment with a mental health specialist.
Stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults can trigger side effects like stomach problems depression, anxiety, or stomach issues. They also can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Some people develop tics - rapid, repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people suffering from ADHD have trouble sleeping when they are taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends speaking with your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the adverse effects of medication or about potential clinical trials that may be suitable for your needs. Clinical trials are research studies which test new methods for detecting, preventing or treat illnesses. Clinical trials let people gain knowledge about their health and themselves and also the opportunity to help others. You can find out more about clinical trials and locate the one that is right for you by going to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Therapy
It is essential that adults with ADHD work with their doctor to treat the symptoms. Treatment with medication is one way to manage it, and there are many different kinds of medications available. You may need to try different dosages and medications to determine which one is most effective for you. A therapist can help get to know your condition and to better cope with its effects. They can also instruct you on strategies to improve your self-management, organization and attention.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they're constantly falling behind at work, school and in their relationships. Even the most accommodating colleagues, friends and partners may be annoyed by their behavior. They might be prone to forgetting appointments or ignoring deadlines, and making impulsive decisions that don't always go well.
Therapy can help adults suffering from ADHD to become more organized as well as develop coping skills to improve their quality-of-life. They can be taught to recognize and alter their bad habits, such as rewarding themselves with rewards or playing computer solitaire after answering emails. One-on-one cognitive therapy can also be beneficial and can help to transform negative experiences into positive ones. A therapist can help people with ADHD understand that their impulsivity does not indicate a bad character. It's a normal response to high levels of activity in the brain.
A therapist can help them learn coping techniques to manage depression and anxiety. People with ADHD are at a higher likelihood of suffering from anxiety and depression. Other psychosocial treatments include group therapy and family networks and classes that are focused on the ability to resolve conflicts and improve communication. For those employed, the Department of Work and Pensions can offer a service called Access to Work that helps to pay for workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including ADHD.
Be careful when selecting a therapist. They aren't all the same. Look for someone you feel comfortable speaking with and who can make you feel confident after a session and who has an expertise in the kind of therapy you're interested in. For instance, if you're searching for a therapist who employs psychosocial techniques Ask your psychiatrist to suggest someone. Child psychiatrists are particularly well-versed in ADHD treatment and can recommend you.
Support
People with ADHD might experience symptoms that are so disruptive, they require the evaluation of an expert doctor. This evaluation involves a conversation with the patient about their experiences from childhood to present and how their symptoms impact work and school as well as relationships and other aspects of daily life. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD speak up candidly, without shame or fear of criticism.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD for adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria a medical professional will look at during the evaluation.
It is essential to bring any documents that could help you understand your symptoms when you visit a healthcare professional. This includes old report cards or notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the examination will likely ask about the family history of the patient and lifestyle, and will also conduct a physical exam as well as some psychological tests.
Remember that inattention and impulsivity does not mean they lack the skills to do their job or do other things. An ADHD person, for instance is able to be creative and productive in many ways, such as painting, writing stories or even designing things.
If adults are diagnosed with ADHD, they can experience a range of emotions. They might feel guilty about past mistakes or relieved that they understand the reason they struggled. "There is a lot that needs to be done in the area of grief work, but when people have a clear explanation and all the pieces fall into place, they really take off," Matlen explains.
Individuals with ADHD are often misunderstood by their coworkers or family members and friends. They may struggle to stay focused in meetings or conversations and they may be prone to distractions like social media and video games. Some people with ADHD may even be told they're unmotivated or apathetic.
Helping a loved one who suffers from ADHD can assist them in gaining control over their symptoms at home and at work. They can utilize tools to help them organize their lives, like smartphone apps or daily planners. getting a adhd diagnosis can seek treatments from a behavioral expert who specializes in ADHD. Treatments can include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and accommodations or other tools or modifications in a person's environment that aid in managing their condition. A possible accommodation is a step stool to help people who are shorter to get to higher levels of shelves or surfaces.