Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, ask your primary care doctor for an appointment. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or use the internet to find specialists who are competent to assess ADHD.
A professional will ask you questions about your current symptoms, however according to current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be determined without taking into account your childhood history. Your specialist may ask to speak to your parents, teachers or other adults who knew you as an infant.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD don't realize they have the disorder until they reach adulthood. They may not be diagnosed until they are children and struggle to cope with issues at school, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan could assist them in getting their lives back on track.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble focusing, planning or paying attention to details. They are more prone to act on impulse, and can easily be distracted. They may also find that they can't endure boring tasks and will often shift their attention from one task to the next. This can result in missing important events as well as poor time management and frequent mistakes at work or at school.
The symptoms of adult adhd differ for each individual. The signs typically appear in childhood, but they may also manifest as adolescence or adulthood. To be considered to have the disorder the symptoms must be present for at least six months and create significant problems in multiple settings.
A doctor will look over your school report card to see whether there are any remarks regarding your conduct or lack of effort. The doctor may also request that the person being evaluated speak to their parents. Adults who are being assessed by a clinician for ADHD must be honest and open about their concerns. They shouldn't be afraid of embarrassing themselves or feeling embarrassed.
Women suffering from ADHD can be omitted or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are not so obvious as those of men. The struggles of women suffering from ADHD can be concealed because they have to care for children, or work in roles which are more gender-specific. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to forgetting important tasks or being unable to remember, to being late in completing work, and to making mistakes. They may also lack focus in school or at work. adults diagnosed with adhd tend to engage in fidgeting behavior like tapping their feet or moving their legs.
Adults suffering from ADHD can still achieve success in their professional and personal lives. They need to be able how to handle their challenges and take advantage of the help that is available. They can also make use of strategies that make it easier to succeed, like using a planner or a calendar and mobile apps that provide reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to tell the difference between adult ADHD and other issues that arise in everyday life such as forgetting to complete tasks or appointments. The difference is crucial as if the condition is not addressed, treated properly or neglected, it can cause serious issues with work and social relationships which include financial problems and troubled 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 psychiatry or neurology). Professionals with qualifications also know how to deal with co-existing conditions, including depression and anxiety, that are often associated with ADHD.
A test to determine if someone has ADHD will involve an extensive interview to look over the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will also include questions about how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their relationships and work. It is important for the person to be honest and not conceal any information.
It's also a good idea to discuss any issues that the person might have had at work or in their personal life prior to childhood. These may reveal patterns that could indicate ADHD. For instance, a lot of people with ADHD have a tendency to change jobs frequently and have difficulty forming close relationships. Adults with ADHD often struggle with managing their finances and often spend more than they need to.
In certain instances, an evaluation for adult ADHD could include additional tests like neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities tests to determine the cause of the person's problems. A person with ADHD may also have a learning disorder such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle changes and treatment strategies. These treatments can help people identify their own behavior and thoughts and create coping strategies to manage these issues.
Finding Treatment
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from the same problems like they did when they were kids issues with relationships, and at work, issues completing their schoolwork or finding work. These issues usually require the need for medical referrals to diagnose and treatment. For many people, the first step is to talk to a primary care physician. He or she could refer you to a mental health professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will perform an extensive exam to determine if you have ADHD or another condition that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The doctor will ask you questions, go over your history and behavior and inquire about your family and medical history, and employ questionnaires and psychiatric scales. The doctor will also look at your physical health, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that can trigger similar symptoms include depression, anxiety and stress and also certain medications and addiction to substances.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be unable to recognize the disorder. They might have learned to hide their symptoms or make excuses for them but still have low confidence and self-esteem. Many women are better at hiding their symptoms than men and could be labeled as a slacker, goofy or troublemaker.
In an ADHD assessment, your physician will look at your symptoms and their impact on your life. The doctor will interview you, and your family members and colleagues. They may also make use of old report cards to record childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adult ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, as well as the non-stimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral therapies can help as well like cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from lifestyle modifications like setting regular routines and using a planner or journal. Marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can assist with time management and organizing skills, are beneficial for other people. Certain people with ADHD can also benefit from a variety of accommodations at school or work like extended deadlines and flex time, which can make it easier to meet the goals of performance and be successful.
Finding Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can be the first step towards finally managing the symptoms that have been affecting your life for many years. The signs of adult ADHD could include having trouble staying on top of school or work obligations, misplacing important personal items, missing appointments, spending money impulsively not following medical instructions and more. These issues can lead to long-term anxiety, low confidence and feelings of inadequacy. Following the most effective practices and having a good support system can make a huge difference in the way you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, many people who had ADHD were misdiagnosed. They might have had trouble finding a job that was suitable or failed in their academic endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could be left with many regrets over missed opportunities and wasted time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD usually involves a comprehensive interview with an expert in mental health including family members should it be possible. In addition, the person will be asked to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as to discuss their past. 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 for neuropsychological or psychological testing could be performed. The tests can provide more information about the ways the individual's ADHD affects their lives, and also help determine if there are any co-existing conditions that need to be treated.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD generally involve psychological counseling (psychotherapy), education and occasionally, medications. Psychotherapy helps individuals recognize and manage their ADHD and improve their ability to manage it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to change their negative thoughts and behaviors. Family and marriage counseling could be beneficial to people with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step in locating a qualified counselor is to request an appointment from your physician or a specialist. You can also call the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or graduate school of psychology to obtain recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you feel comfortable with and who has experience in treating adults.