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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers. The majority of people with ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder. Diagnosis It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment. A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them. Because people with ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures 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 listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting too much or squirming in their seats. When determining whether a person has adult ADHD It is crucial to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying the disorder. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD. Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not obvious. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they can finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and could not reach their potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated. Treatment The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be done either in person or via video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is due to the fact that there are many physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis. The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences. diagnosing adhd in adults I Am Psychiatry can help your doctor decide if you need medication or any other treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with more care since these conditions can are in synergy. If the professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not suitable for everyone, and the first one you try might not be effective or trigger bothersome adverse effects. Your doctor will need to know if are taking any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is also an important component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities. It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see a specialist therapist or psychologist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can contact your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD. Medication If you are an adult who has been struggling with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been seeking. The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy 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 suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss. “Getting diagnosed can help these individuals get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa states. Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases they can improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers find better methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases. Counseling If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to a variety of problems throughout your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Some might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased. To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to learn for tests. Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws. Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who knew you at this period and could take a number of tests to determine your attention and memory levels. After receiving an assessment, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that is most effective for them. It is suggested that you keep a diary of your progress and check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help you adjust your treatment program when needed.