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 experience difficulties maintaining relationships and jobs and may result in frequent job changes or low performance ratings.
It is recommended to first seek out your primary physician for a referral to an expert in health care who can conduct evaluations for adults suffering from ADHD. Then, you can get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes problems with staying focused, paying attention and acting upon impulses. Adults with ADHD are often troubled at work, in school and in their relationships. It's a fairly common disorder, but it can be difficult for adults to diagnose because they may not be able to recall the symptoms they experienced as children or have been misdiagnosed.
A person seeking to receive a diagnosis should visit an expert in health care who has experience in conducting ADHD assessments for adults. One could ask their physician for a referral to someone who is an expert in ADHD. They can also call local medical schools or graduate schools to ask for recommendations.
In evaluating adults, the doctor will consider how long the symptoms have been present and how they affect the person's life. They will also look at whether the primary 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, the person must have significant impairment in at least two aspects of their life like at work or home; with friends and family; or when engaging in particular activities, such as driving or playing sports. Impairment means the symptoms cause significant difficulties and last for at minimum six months.
The clinician will also rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression, anxiety or addiction disorders. They may also conduct additional neuropsychological, psychosocial or learning disabilities tests to determine if a person has co-existing disorders.
Individuals who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel dissatisfied because they're not receiving the support and help they need. Some adults have reported feeling a sense of satisfaction and renewal once they are finally able to receive a diagnosis. Others say they have a lot of regrets about lost opportunities or failures in their lives because their ADHD symptoms were not recognized and untreated. Some people suffering from ADHD are hesitant about admitting that they have the disorder, particularly women who are assigned female at birth (AFAB). Others are hesitant because of the stigma associated with it.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD tend not to overcome the condition. It is a condition that persists into adulthood and can have the same impact on their friendships, work and family life, as well as their mental health. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms are prevalent in both adults and children suffering from ADHD. However, the symptoms in adults are more severe. For instance, they can impact a person's job performance and cause troublesome relationships. A professional can offer assistance and treatment.
The first step is to find an accredited evaluator, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. Ask for recommendations from family members and family or search on the internet for experts in your region. Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other disorders like anxiety and depression, which must be considered in their diagnosis and treatment.
Your evaluator would like to know as much as they can about your life. A thorough history, particularly one that covers your childhood, could provide clues to whether your ADHD symptoms are related to any other disorders. Your evaluator may ask about your physical health and emotional well-being, the development of your personality from childhood, your experiences in school and at work including driving history, alcohol and drug abuse and how you deal with stress on a regular basis.
If the evaluator suspects you have ADHD, they will assess your current symptoms to determine how they interfere with your daily routine. To be considered a diagnosed patient, your symptoms must be significant enough to cause impairment in at least two important settings. Some examples of impairment are losing your job because of inadequate time management, or getting into financial trouble due to excessive spending, or not making payments on time.
You can enhance your ability to manage your ADHD symptoms by learning to deal with the challenges they pose. For instance you can reduce the stress level by implementing the same routine and keeping your calendar free of distractions. Additionally, you can get more sleep, avoid eating sweet or caffeinated foods close to bedtime and regularly exercise. Certain people suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to manage their symptoms. Some people 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 speak with a healthcare professional. They can refer you a mental health specialist who specializes in adult ADHD evaluations, or recommend professionals who do this. Certain insurance companies also list specialists by specialization and assist those who participate in their plans to find the right specialist.
The history of the adult is vital in determining ADHD. For example, a doctor may ask to review school report cards from the individual's childhood or talk to family members about his or her behaviors in the beginning of their lives. The health care professional can then look for signs of behavior that could indicate that there is a diagnosis of ADHD.
During the assessment process, the health care professional could also use one or more standardized rating scales. These questionnaires evaluate the behavior of the patient with that of people who do not have ADHD and can help the doctor determine whether or not symptoms fit diagnostic criteria.
A medical exam is required to rule out other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The thyroid, seizures, as well as hearing and vision problems 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 to 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, increase their organization abilities, and learn more effective strategies for dealing with stressful situations.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulants. They can increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. However, these medications can cause serious adverse reactions for some people, particularly children and teens. They are often only prescribed for short-term treatment and are not appropriate for everyone.
adhd diagnosis in adult include lifestyle changes and psychotherapy. Many adults suffering from ADHD find that increasing their physical activity can help them focus better and be more productive. Some people with ADHD might benefit from enhancing their planning and organization skills. In addition, people who have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships can get assistance through a disability-related support service such as Access to Work.
Support
Diagnosed and treated effectively and effectively, you can control the issues that are affecting your life. It can also help improve your self-image as well as your relationships with your family as well as your friends and colleagues. It's never too late to seek an assessment and treatment for ADHD.
Your GP could recommend an area of mental health care that specializes in treating adult ADHD. This could be a Community Mental Health Service or a specialized Neurodevelopmental Service.
There are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD which can offer advice and a sense of community. You can join online discussion forums and discuss your experiences with other people. There are coaches or mentors who specialize in helping those with ADHD. However, you should be aware that coaching and mentoring are self-regulated professions and there are a variety of quality and knowledge.
The signs of ADHD usually appear in childhood, but can persist into adulthood. The disorder is more prevalent for men and boys compared to girls and women. The inattentive type (formerly known as hyperactivity disorder causing attention deficit) 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.
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary from one person to the next. A doctor can find patterns in a patient's past of problems at work, school or with relationships. A thorough medical history can also be useful. The medical history can be used to determine if or pinpoint possible causes. These include developmental disorders and seizure disorders. They also include anxiety, depression and drug addiction, as well as certain medications.
Untreated ADHD can result in people developing low self-esteem and negative self-image due to disappointment and failure. They may also develop disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety or depression, which can make ADHD symptoms worse.
A few adults suffering from ADHD participate in clinical studies to help researchers discover more about the disorder. This can lead to better treatments in the future. You can find helpful tips for talking to your doctor about participating in a clinical trial on the NIMH website.