Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary doctor for a referral if you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or search online to find specialists who are competent to assess ADHD.
A doctor will ask you questions about your current symptoms. However, according to current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be made without considering your past background. Your doctor may request to speak to your parents, teachers or any other adult who knew you when you were an infant.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD don't know they have it until later in life. They might not be diagnosed until they are children and struggle to cope with problems in the classroom, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan can help them get their lives back on track.
Adults with ADHD are unable to focus on their plans and paying attention to details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They may also find it difficult to focus on tasks that bore them, and frequently shift their attention from one task to another. This could lead to them missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent mistakes at work or in school.
The signs of adhd in adulthood are different for each person. The signs of adult adhd are different for everyone. They usually appear in the early years of childhood, but they can be observed in an adolescent or adult. The symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and create significant difficulties in a variety of situations to be able to be diagnosed.
In certain instances the doctor may review school reports to find out if there are any comments concerning behavior issues or inability to work or inadequacy compared to your potential. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to speak with his or her parents. Adults being evaluated by a doctor for ADHD should be honest and open about their concerns. They shouldn't be afraid of embarrassment or shame.
Women suffering from ADHD can be omitted or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are not so obvious like those of men. The struggles of women with ADHD can be concealed because they are responsible for caring for their children or working in jobs that are more gender-specific. Women with ADHD are prone to forgetting important tasks or being absentminded or being late to complete work, and to making mistakes. They may also lack concentration at school or in the workplace. They tend to engage in fidgeting behavior such as tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are still capable of having success in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to deal with their issues and take advantage of the support they can get. They can also implement strategies that will aid them in their success, such as an organizer or a calendar, as well as phone apps that have reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to determine the distinction between adult ADHD and other daily difficulties like forgetting appointments or tasks. However, the difference is important because, if it is left untreated, unmanaged or mistreated the disorder could lead to serious social and work issues, including financial difficulty and troubled relationships.
In general the diagnosis of ADHD should be determined by an expert in mental health with specialized expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and doctors (such a psychiatrists, neurologists or family physicians who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). They also have a deep understanding of co-existing conditions, including depression and anxiety, that are often associated with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. adhd in adults undiagnosed will involve a review of the patient's medical and personal history as well as family background. The interview will ask questions regarding how the individual's ADHD symptoms impact their work and relationships. It is important for the person to be honest and not hide any information.
It is also a great idea to discuss any issues that the person might have faced at work or in their personal life since childhood. In many instances, these problems can reveal patterns that suggest that the person has ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and switching jobs frequently. Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their finances and often spend more than they should.
In certain cases an assessment of adult ADHD may include other tests, such as neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities tests to rule out other causes for the person's difficulty. A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from a learning disorder like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people with ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral and/or psychotherapy, in addition to lifestyle changes and treatment methods. They can help them learn to recognize their own behavior and thoughts and develop coping strategies for managing them.
Get Help
Many people with ADHD suffer from the same problems like they did when they were kids issues with relationships, and at work, issues completing their schoolwork or finding employment. Many times, these issues lead to medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many people is to consult their primary care provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if you suffer from ADHD or a different health condition that produces symptoms that resemble ADHD. The doctor will interview you, review your behavior and past history of your medical and family background, and employ the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also assess your physical health, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include stress, depression, anxiety and certain medications as well as alcohol abuse.
Adults with ADHD may be unable to recognize the condition. They may have learned how to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them, but have low confidence and self-esteem. Women are often better than men in hiding their symptoms, and may have gotten used to being called a slacker, goof-off or troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your doctor will examine your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also conduct interviews with your family and friends, as well as colleagues at work. They may also use old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate and the non-stimulant atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and education on ADHD may also be helpful. Some people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes like setting regular routines and using journals or a planner. Others can benefit from marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can help with time management and organization skills. Some people suffering from ADHD can also benefit from a variety of accommodations at school or at work for extended deadlines and flex time, which can make it easier to meet performance goals and achieve success.
Find Help
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful. It can be a first step towards finally managing the symptoms that have been in your life for many years. Adult ADHD symptoms include difficulty keeping up with work or school obligations as well as losing personal items and missing important appointments, spending money impulsively, not following medical instructions and much more. These problems can lead to chronic stress, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequate. Being supported by a strong network and following the best techniques can make a huge difference in how you cope with your issues.
In the past, many people with ADHD were misdiagnosed. They might have had trouble finding a suitable job or failed in their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be overwhelmed by regrets over missed opportunities or lost times.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD usually involves a comprehensive interview with an expert in mental health, including family members when possible. The person will also be asked to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as 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 and their symptoms, further psychological or neuropsychological testing may be performed. This test can provide more information on how ADHD affects the individual and also help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated by psychological counseling (psychotherapy), educational programs, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy helps people comprehend and manage ADHD and develop strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to change their negative behavior patterns and thinking patterns. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial to those with ADHD who are having difficulty maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist for a recommendation is the first step to finding a qualified counselor. You can also call a local university-based hospital or graduate school of psychology to obtain recommendations. Then, choose a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable and who is experienced in treating adults.