ADHD in Adults Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it can cause problems in all areas of your life. You may find it difficult to maintain relationships and employment. This can lead to frequent changes in jobs or poor performance ratings.
Ask your primary care doctor to recommend you to a health professional who can examine adults with ADHD. Then, you can get an assessment and treatment plan.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it difficult to stay focused and paying attention, as well as responding to impulses. Adults with ADHD have difficulty working, at school as well as in their relationships. It is a common disorder however, it can be difficult to recognize because a lot of adults don't recall having symptoms as children or were mistakenly diagnosed as children.
Anyone who is seeking to be diagnosed with ADHD must see an expert in health care who has experience performing ADHD evaluations in adults. A doctor's request to refer you to someone who is an ADHD specialist can be done by a doctor. You can also ask for a referral by contacting local medical schools, universities or graduate schools.
When conducting an evaluation of adults, a doctor will take into consideration how long symptoms have been present and if they have negatively affected the person's life. They will also examine whether the ADHD symptoms were present in the early years of childhood. The clinician will also determine if the person meets diagnostic guidelines for either the predominantly inattentive, the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive or combined subtypes of the disorder.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must demonstrate significant impairment in two areas of their lives. These include at home at work, in the company, with family and friends, or in specific activities such as driving or playing sports. Impairment means that the symptoms cause significant problems and have been present for at least six months.
The doctor will also rule out other conditions that might cause the same symptoms as ADHD, like anxiety, depression or addiction disorders. They can also conduct additional psychological, neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests to determine if a person suffers from co-existing disorders.
People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD might feel unhappy because they're not receiving the support and help they need. adult diagnosis of adhd have reported feeling happy and renewed after finally getting an diagnosis. Many adults regret missed opportunities or failures because their ADHD symptoms were not identified and not treated. Certain people suffering from ADHD are hesitant to admit that they have ADHD particularly women who were deemed female at birth. Some people are reluctant to admit they suffer from ADHD due to the stigma associated with it.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD are not typically able to outgrow the condition. It can last into adulthood, and have similar effects on work, relationships as well as family life and mental health. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms are common in adults and children with ADHD. However, the symptoms in adults are more severe. For instance, they could impact a person's job performance and can cause problems with relationships. A professional can assist with treatment and counseling.
The first step is to locate an accredited evaluator like a psychiatrist or psychologist. Ask for recommendations from family members and family or search online for professionals in your region. Many people suffering from ADHD are also suffering from other illnesses like anxiety and depression, which must be considered in their diagnosis and treatment.
Your evaluator would like to learn the most details possible about your life. A detailed history, especially one that stretches across your entire childhood, could provide clues to whether your ADHD symptoms are connected to other disorders. The person evaluating you will likely inquire about your emotional and physical health, your development from childhood, your academic and work experiences, driving history, any drugs or alcohol abuse and how you deal with stress in your everyday life.
If the evaluator suspects you have ADHD, they will assess your current symptoms to determine if they affect your daily life. For a diagnosis, your symptoms must be severe enough to cause impairment in at least two major settings. Examples of impairment could include losing a job because of inadequate time management skills, getting into financial trouble because of impulsive spending or failing to pay on time, or having relationships that are strained because of communication difficulties.
You can improve your ability to manage your ADHD symptoms by learning how to cope with the challenges they bring. For instance you can lower the stress level by implementing the same routine and keeping your schedule clean. You can also get more sleep, avoid eating sweet or caffeinated foods prior to bed and regularly exercise. Some people with ADHD discover that cognitive or psychotherapy therapy helps them manage their symptoms, while others take medication to lessen the impact of their symptoms.
Treatment
If you are an adult and suspect that you are suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk with a health professional. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who specialises in adult ADHD evaluations or provide recommendations for professionals who perform such evaluations. Certain insurance companies also list specialists in their specialties and assist those who participate in their plans to locate the right specialist.
The background of the adult is vital in determining ADHD. A doctor may ask, for instance, to look over the child's report card or interview family about the child's early behavior. The health professional will then look for patterns in behavior that could be indicative of ADHD.
During the assessment the health professional may also employ one or several standardized rating scales. These tests compare the behavior of a patient to those of people who do not have ADHD and can aid a doctor in determining whether symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria.
Additionally, a medical examination is generally required to determine if there are medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The thyroid, seizures, and hearing and vision issues can all be associated with similar effects.
Psychological and behavioral therapy can be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients overcome their negative thoughts and behavior. This can decrease stress, which can make ADHD symptoms worse. Counseling can teach people to better manage their time, increase their organizational skills, and develop more effective strategies for dealing with stressful situations.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently treated with stimulants. They seem to regulate and increase the levels of certain brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. However, these drugs may cause serious adverse reactions for certain individuals, particularly teenagers and children. They are typically prescribed for short-term treatment and are not suitable for everyone.
Other treatment options include lifestyle changes and psychotherapy. Some adults with ADHD find that increasing their physical activity helps them concentrate more effectively and become more productive. Others with ADHD benefit from learning how to improve their organizational and planning capabilities. Access to Work, a disability support organization, can assist people who are having difficulty maintaining relationships or holding their jobs.
Support
Diagnosed and treated effectively, you can manage symptoms that are interfering with your daily life. It can also help improve your self-image, and your relationships with family members and friends as well as coworkers. It's never too late for the diagnosis or treatment of ADHD.
Your GP may recommend a mental service that specializes in treating adult ADHD. It could be a Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
Support groups for adults with ADHD can offer advice and a sense of community. You can join online forums and chat with others about their experiences. There are coaches or mentors who specialize in helping people with ADHD. However, it is important to be aware that coaching and mentorship are self-regulated and there are differences in the quality and expertise.
The symptoms of ADHD typically appear in childhood, but can persist into adulthood. The disorder is more prevalent in males and boys as than women and girls. The inattentive type (formerly known as attention deficit disorder hyperactivity) is more prevalent than the combined type. Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive subtype are less common in adults than those of the inattentive type, but they can still occur.
It isn't easy to identify adult ADHD due to the fact that symptoms differ from person to person. A doctor can find patterns in a patient's past of difficulties at work, school or in relationships. A thorough medical history can also be beneficial. The history can be used to rule out or identify possible causes. These include developmental disorders and seizure disorders. They also include anxiety, depression and drug addiction, as well as certain medications.
A person suffering from untreated ADHD may develop a negative self-image and low self-esteem because of constant frustration and failure. They might also experience comorbidities such as anxiety or depression, which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may participate in clinical trials that help researchers better understand the disorder. This can lead to improved treatments in the near future. You can find tips for talking to your doctor about participating in a clinical trial on the NIMH website.