ADHD in Adults Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can lead to problems in all areas of your life. You may struggle to maintain relationships and work, resulting in frequent job changes and/or low performance ratings.
Ask your primary care physician to recommend you to a health professional who can examine adults with ADHD. After that, you will receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes difficulty staying focused and paying attention, as well as acting on impulses. Adults with ADHD frequently have issues at school, work and in their relationships. It's a very common condition, but can be difficult for adults to diagnose, since they may not recall the symptoms they experienced as children or have been misdiagnosed.
A person seeking an assessment of ADHD in adults must consult a health care provider with expertise in ADHD evaluations. The patient could ask their physician for a referral to someone who specializes in ADHD. They can also call local medical schools, or graduate schools to ask for recommendations.
When interviewing adults, a therapist will take into consideration how long symptoms have been present and if they have interfered with the person's life. They will also look at whether the ADHD symptoms were present in 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, the person must have significant impairment in at least two different areas of their life like at work or home or with family and friends or in specific activities such as driving or playing sports. Impairment means that the symptoms cause significant difficulty and have been present for at least six months.
The doctor will also look into other conditions that might cause the same symptoms as ADHD such as anxiety, depression or addiction disorders. They may also conduct additional neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities testing to determine if the patient has co-existing disorders.
People who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD might be frustrated because they're not getting the help and support that they need. Some adults have reported feeling a sense of relief and renewal after they are finally able to be diagnosed. Others report having many regrets over failed opportunities or failures in their lives as a result of their ADHD symptoms went undiagnosed and untreated. Some people with ADHD are hesitant about admitting that they have the disorder, especially women who were born female (AFAB). Others are hesitant because of the stigma associated with it.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD tend not to overcome the condition. It persists into adulthood and can have similar effects on their work, friendships, family life and mental health. Symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can be seen in both children and adults with ADHD however, the signs are more prevalent in adults. For example, they may impact a person's job performance and cause troublesome relationships. A professional can help with treatment and support.
The first step is to find an expert evaluator who is qualified, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. Ask for recommendations from friends and family or search on the internet for professionals in your area. Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other illnesses, like depression and anxiety which must be considered in their diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your evaluator wants to learn as much as possible about your life. A thorough account of your life, particularly one that spans from childhood, can give clues about whether ADHD symptoms are linked to other issues. Your evaluator might inquire about your physical health and emotional well-being, your growth since early childhood, educational and work experiences and driving history, as well as drinking and drug use and how you manage stress on a daily basis.
If the evaluator suspects you may have ADHD they will evaluate your current symptoms to determine if they impact your daily routine. For a diagnosis to be granted, your symptoms need to be significant enough to cause impairment in at least two major settings. Some examples of impairment include losing your job because of poor time management, falling into financial difficulties due to impulsive spending, or failing to make payments on time.
You can increase your ability to manage your ADHD symptoms by learning to manage the challenges they bring. You can reduce stress by keeping a clear schedule and following a routine. You should also get enough sleep, avoid sweet or caffeine-rich meals prior to bedtime, and do regular exercise. Some people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to manage their symptoms. Others use medication to reduce their symptoms.
Treatment
If you are an adult and suspect that you are suffering from ADHD the first step is to discuss the issue with a health care provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health who is skilled in adult ADHD assessments or offer suggestions for professionals who perform such evaluations. Certain insurance companies will provide professionals based on their specialties and may help those who are part of their plans find an expert.
The most crucial factor in diagnosing ADHD in adults is the person's history. For instance, a doctor might request to review school report cards from a person's childhood or ask relatives about the person's behavior in the beginning of their lives. The health professional will then look for patterns of behavior that could be indicative of ADHD.
During the evaluation the health professional may also employ one or several rating scales that are standardized. These questionnaires compare the behavior of a patient to that of people without ADHD and can help a physician determine whether symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria.
In addition an examination by a doctor is typically required to identify medical conditions that may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. The thyroid, seizures, as well as hearing and vision problems can all cause similar symptoms.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Particularly, cognitive behavior therapy can help patients change their negative thoughts and behaviors. This can help reduce stress which can cause ADHD symptoms worse. Counseling can teach people to better manage their time, improve their organizational skills, and discover more effective ways of dealing with stressful situations.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often treated with stimulants. They appear to increase and regulate levels of certain brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. However, these drugs may cause serious side effects for some individuals, especially children and teens. They are usually prescribed for short-term use and are not appropriate for everyone.
Changes in lifestyle and psychotherapy are alternatives. For instance, some people who suffer from ADHD discover that increasing physical exercise can aid in their focus and make them more productive. Certain people with ADHD can benefit from improving their organizational and planning skills. Access to Work, a disability support group, can aid people who are having difficulty maintaining relationships or retaining their jobs.
Support
Getting diagnosed and receiving effective treatment can help you deal with symptoms that interfere with your daily routine. It can also help improve your self-image and improve your relationships with your family, friends and coworkers. It is never too late to get an assessment and treatment for ADHD.
Your GP could recommend an area of mental health care that specializes in treating adults with ADHD. This may be an Community Mental Health Service or a specialised Neurodevelopmental Service.
There are support groups for adults with ADHD which can offer advice and a sense that you are part of a community. You can also join online forums and talk to others about their experiences. There are coaches or mentors who are specialized in helping people with ADHD. However, it is important to be aware that coaching and mentorship are self-regulated and there are a variety of quality and competence.
The symptoms of ADHD usually appear in childhood, but they may persist throughout adulthood. The disorder is more common for men and boys than women and girls. The inattentive subtype of the condition (formerly called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are more likely to be diagnosed than those who suffer from 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.
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary between individuals. A doctor may spot patterns in a patient's history of difficulties at work, school or with relationships. A thorough medical history can also be helpful. The history can be used to determine if or determine the cause. These include seizures, developmental disorders anxiety, depression, substance abuse and certain medications.
adhd adults diagnosis uk with untreated ADHD may develop a poor self-image and low self-esteem because of persistent frustration and failure. They could also suffer from disorders like depression or anxiety which can cause ADHD worse.
Some adults with ADHD participate in clinical studies to help researchers discover more about the disorder. This could lead to better treatments in the future. On the NIMH website, you can find some tips about how to speak to your doctor about participating in a study.