Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary health care provider for a referral if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can also get recommendations from friends and family or search the internet for professionals qualified to conduct ADHD assessments.
The professionals will inquire about your symptoms today however, according to current guidelines, it's impossible to determine the cause without considering your past experiences as a child. Your doctor may request to speak to your teachers, parents, or other adults that knew you when you were a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD don't realize they have it until adulthood. They might have missed the diagnosis while they were young and then struggle with problems at work, home and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan will assist them to get their lives back in order.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle with focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to the details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They may be unable to sit through activities that are boring and often shift their attention from one task to another. This can lead to missed events, poor time-management and a lot of mistakes at school or work.
The symptoms of adult adhd can be different for everyone. They tend to appear in the early years, but can also appear in the adolescent years or even as adults. To be considered to have the disorder, the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cause significant difficulty in a variety of environments.
A doctor can review your school report card to see whether there are any comments about your behavior or lack of effort. The doctor will also ask the person being evaluated to talk with his or her parents. It is essential that adults who are being evaluated for ADHD discuss their concerns in a candid and honest manner with the physician. They shouldn't hold back out of fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women suffering from ADHD are often omitted or misdiagnosed since their symptoms are less obvious than those of men. The challenges faced by women with ADHD are often hidden because they have to care for their children or working in roles which are more gender-specific. Symptoms of ADHD for women include forgetting or not paying attention to important tasks, being slow to complete work in time, making frequent mistakes and having trouble staying focused at school or in the workplace. They tend to engage in fidgeting such as tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD can still be successful in their professional and personal lives. They need to be able to deal with their issues and take advantage of the help that is available. They can also use strategies to help them succeed, like an organizer or a calendar, and phones with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It is often difficult to discern the difference between adult ADHD and other issues that arise in everyday life like forgetting tasks or appointments. The distinction is crucial since if the disorder is not treated, treated poorly or neglected, it can lead to serious social and work problems which include financial problems and troubled relationships.
A mental health professional with particular training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This includes clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and doctors (such neurologists, psychiatrists, or family doctors who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). Qualified professionals also understand co-existing conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that are often present with ADHD.
A test to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD will involve an in-depth interview to go over the patient's personal, medical and family background. The interview will include questions regarding how the individual's ADHD symptoms impact their work and relationships. It is crucial for the person to be honest and not hide any information.
It's also a great idea to bring up problems that the person could have had at work or in their home life prior to childhood. These can often reveal patterns that indicate ADHD. Many people with ADHD have difficulty forming close bonds and changing jobs frequently. Additionally, it is common for people with ADHD to have issues with managing money and spending more than they ought to.
In certain instances an assessment for adult ADHD might include additional tests like neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the person's issues. A person with ADHD could also have a 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 Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people learn to recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors as well as formulate strategies for dealing with them.
Finding Treatment
As adults, many people who have ADHD continue to experience the same issues they faced in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, as well as difficulties in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These issues often result in medical referrals for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many is to speak to their primary healthcare provider. The doctor will likely refer you to a mental health professional who has experience diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct an extensive exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. He or she will interview you, look over your behavior and history as well as ask about your medical and family history, and use the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also check your physical health, including blood pressure and heartbeat. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms are stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as certain medications and addiction to substances.
Adults with ADHD may be unable to recognize the condition. They've learned to hide their symptoms and compensate for them, but they can have low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Women are more adept in hiding their issues than men, and may be viewed as a slacker, goofy or a troublemaker.
In an ADHD assessment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and how they impact your life. The doctor may also interview your family and friends and colleagues at work. He or she could use old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Iampsychiatry include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, as well as the nonstimulant atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral treatments like cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD can also aid. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes by establishing routines and keeping journals or a planner. Others have success with counseling for family and marriage or a life coach who can aid with time management and organizational skills. Some people suffering from ADHD can also benefit from accommodating arrangements in the workplace or school. These include extended deadlines and flexible hours.
Find Support
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful. It can be the first step to finally getting control of the symptoms that have been impacting your life for a number of years. Symptoms of adult ADHD could include having trouble keeping up with work or school obligations, misplacing important personal items, missing appointments, spending money impulsively and not adhering to instructions from your doctor and many more. These issues can lead to chronic anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequate. Following the best methods and having a strong support system can make a huge difference in the way you manage your symptoms.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. They might have struggled finding a suitable job or failed in their academic pursuits, and struggled to find long-term relationships. They may be filled with regrets over missed opportunities and lost times.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is typically required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also included in the interview. In addition, the person will be asked to fill out 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.
Depending on the person and their symptoms, additional tests in neuropsychology or psychotherapy could be required. This test can provide more information on how ADHD affects the individual and also help determine if there are co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychotherapy (psychotherapy), educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy helps individuals learn to manage and understand their ADHD and improve their ability to cope with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thought patterns and behavior. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful for individuals with ADHD who have difficulties maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist to recommend a counsellor is the first step to finding a qualified counselor. You can also call a local university-based hospital or graduate school in psychology to get recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you feel comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.