Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary doctor for a referral if you think you might have ADHD. You can also get suggestions from your family and friends or look online for experts who are qualified to conduct ADHD assessments.
A doctor will ask you questions regarding your current symptoms, however according to current guidelines, a diagnosis can't be determined without taking into account your childhood history. Your doctor may interview your parents, teachers, or other adults who were familiar with you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD do not realize they have it until adulthood. They might have missed out on the diagnosis while they were young and then have to deal with problems at work, at home and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan could assist them in getting their lives back on track.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble staying focused, planning or paying attention to details. They tend to act on impulse and are easily distracted. They might also find that they cannot remain focused on boring tasks and often shift their attention from one task to the next. This could lead to missed events, poor time-management and a lot of mistakes at school or work.
The symptoms of adult adhd are different for every person. The signs of adult adhd are different for each person. They usually appear in childhood but can also be recognized as adult or an adolescent. The symptoms are required to be present for a minimum of 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple situations to be able to be diagnosed.
A doctor can look over your school report card to see whether there are any comments about your behavior or lack of effort. The doctor might also suggest that the person being evaluated talk to his or her parents. It is crucial that those who are being assessed for ADHD discuss their issues openly and honestly with the physician. They shouldn't be shy because of fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women with ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed as their symptoms are less noticeable than those of males. Their struggles can be hidden because of the responsibilities of caring for children, or working in more traditionally gender-specific roles. The signs of ADHD for women include forgetting or being absentminded about important tasks, being slow to finish work on time, making frequent mistakes and having trouble staying focused at work or at school. They tend to engage in fidgeting behavior like tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults with ADHD can still be successful in their personal and professional lives. They need to learn how to deal with their issues and take advantage of the support they have available. They can also use strategies that will assist them in their goals, such as an organizer or a calendar, or phone apps that have reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The signs 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 distinction is crucial, because if the disorder is not treated, mistreated or neglected, it can lead to serious problems with work and social life, including financial difficulties and difficult relationships.
A mental health professional with particular training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and doctors (such a psychiatrists, neurologists or family physicians who specialize in neurology or psychiatry). They are also experienced with co-existing disorders that typically occur alongside ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.
A thorough evaluation to determine if someone is suffering from ADHD will require an in-depth interview to go over the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will ask questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on one's job and relationships. It is important that the person be honest and not conceal any details.
It's also a great idea to bring up issues that the person may have had at workplace or in their daily life prior to childhood. These may reveal patterns that indicate ADHD. For example, many people with ADHD change jobs frequently and have difficulty making close connections. Additionally, it's common for people with ADHD to have issues with managing their money and to spend more than they ought to.
In some instances an evaluation for adults with ADHD could include additional tests such as neuropsychological, psychological or tests for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the individual's issues. For instance, a child suffering from ADHD might also have a learning impairment, like dyscalculia or dyslexia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
In addition to treatment techniques and lifestyle changes Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people learn to recognize their own thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate strategies for dealing with them.
Seek Treatment
Many people with ADHD experience the same difficulties like they did as children such as problems with relationships and at work, difficulties finishing their schoolwork or obtaining employment. These issues often lead to a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. For many, the first step is to talk with a primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will conduct an extensive examination to determine if you have ADHD or another condition that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. He or she will interview you, review your behavior and history of your family and medical history, and use psychiatric rating scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health including blood pressure and heartbeat. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms are depression, anxiety and stress as well as certain drugs and substances.
Adults with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the disorder. They may have learned to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them but still suffer from low self-confidence and self-esteem. Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men and could be labeled as a slacker, snob or troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your doctor will examine your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. The doctor may also interview your family and friends, as well as colleagues at work. He or she may use old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD are pharmacological and behavioral (medication). The most common treatment for ADHD is medication that assists in balancing brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate as well as the nonstimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral treatments can also help like cognitive behavior therapy and education on ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes by using a planner or a journal and setting up routines. Others can benefit from marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can aid with time management and organizational skills. Some people suffering from ADHD might also benefit from accommodating arrangements in the workplace or school. These can include extended deadlines and flexible schedules.
Finding Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It could be the first step towards getting control of the symptoms that may be affecting your life for years. Symptoms of adult ADHD may include difficulty keeping up with school or work obligations, loosing important personal items, avoiding appointments, impulsively spending money not following instructions from your doctor and many more. These issues can lead to long-term anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequate. A strong support system and adhering to the most effective practices can make all the difference in how you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, many people with ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job that suited them, or failed their academic pursuits and had trouble finding long-term relationships. They could have regrets about wasted opportunities and time.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is usually required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible family members are included in the interview. In addition, the patient will be asked to complete questionnaires and scales, as well as to discuss their history. 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 symptoms of a person and psychological testing, neuropsychological or additional psychological tests may be required. This test can provide more details on how the individual's ADHD impacts their lives and also help determine if there are any co-existing disorders that require treatment.
I Am Psychiatry is treated by psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and educational programs, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy helps people recognize and manage their ADHD and develop skills to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. Family and marriage counseling could also be beneficial for people with ADHD who have trouble maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist for a recommendation is the first step to finding a licensed counsellor. You can also reach out to a local psychology graduate college or a university hospital for recommendations. Then, choose a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable and who is experienced in treating adults.