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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers. Most people with ADHD live with symptoms from the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder. Diagnosis It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will allow you to manage the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to speak with your GP or seek out a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment. Typically an expert in mental health will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the condition, according to Adler. The doctor will ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them. Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They frequently lose essential items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting too much or squirming in the seat. It is essential to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying them with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their struggles and may also be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect. Treatment The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video chat. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will require information about your medical history and family mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and need to be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made. The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their experiences. A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medications or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD. If the professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause unwanted adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills. It is essential to find the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges, as well as having worked with other clients. adhd diagnosis adults can check with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD. Medication A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've struggled to reach your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been searching for. The first step in treating ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD are applicable to you. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning. Adults with untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic anxiety and frustration resulting from low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. “Getting a diagnose can help them gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa states. The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically a combination of behavior therapy and medication. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies help researchers find better methods to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions. Counseling If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family. To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two aspects of your life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation at college due to inability to study for tests. Women tend to be better in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws. Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD that you have will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may request that you talk to people who knew you at this period and could perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory levels. If you're given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a journal of your progress, and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as necessary.