Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many people, the symptoms of ADHD persist throughout their lives. These symptoms can have a major impact on family and work as adults.
To be diagnosed with ADHD your symptoms must have been evident since the early years of your life (technically, before the age of 12). Your evaluator will review your medical and personal background.
You might also want to discuss your issues with your friends, partners or colleagues. This can help them understand your issues from different perspectives.
Diagnosis
In the same way as diagnosing children, adults who have ADHD must meet certain criteria to receive a diagnosis. The symptoms are required to be present for a minimum of two years and cause serious difficulties with daily functioning. This problem can be related to school, relationships, work or other daily activities. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild symptoms do not affect normal functioning and are often mistaken for other disorders, like depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms cause minor disruptions in social or work interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to maintain relationships or keep a job.
ADHD sufferers may hit a tipping point when they're not able to cope with the demands of everyday life. They may become unorganized and make a lot of mistakes. They could also be impulsive and hyperactive which can cause them to struggle to meet goals and responsibilities. They may have difficulty remembering things and are often unable to remember what they've been told.
If you're having difficulty in your everyday life and you suspect that you may have ADHD, ask for the referral to an expert in mental health or a specialist. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist or any other professional who can perform an assessment. You may also request a therapist you are familiar with or a family member to recommend someone with experience in ADHD assessments.
A psychologist or health care professional will examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination. They will also discuss your current issues with you. They will also ask about your experiences dealing with ADHD as a child. They'll likely want to talk to the person you live with as well as other important people in your life including your parents or spouse. They'll use this information to decide if you have ADHD and what type of ADHD you have--inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD Your psychiatrist will require an authority's approval prior to prescribing medication. New Zealand law requires that people with ADHD must take a second step to receive medication. adhd adult diagnosis uk will collaborate with your GP and you to make sure that the medication works.
Medication
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication, but it's not the only option. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes can also aid. NIMH suggests talking with your doctor to find out more about your options.
To determine if you have ADHD the healthcare professional will interview you about your childhood and current life, as well as do a physical examination and psychological tests (these aren't typically required). The evaluator could also ask you to speak to your partner, family members or other people close to you to get an alternative view of your behavior.
The severity of your symptoms will determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. They should be present for six months or more and must be interfering with two major settings in your life, including relationships and work. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria. This includes that your symptoms can't be caused by a mental disorder or substance abuse disorder.
NIMH recommends that you talk with your doctor about options. This includes behavioral strategies and medications. Many primary care providers regularly assess and treat ADHD in children. Adults who suspect they may have the disorder should seek a referral to an expert.
Stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults can trigger side effects like stomach problems, anxiety, and depression. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people develop tics, which are sudden repeated actions or sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD also have difficulty sleeping when taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends that you speak with your physician about any concerns you have about side effects of treatments or potential clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods to identify, prevent or treat diseases. Clinical trials help people learn more about themselves and their health, as well as the opportunity to assist others. You can find out more about clinical trials and find the one that is right for you by visiting the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Therapy
It is essential that adults with ADHD consult with their doctor to treat the symptoms. Medication is one way to manage ADHD and there are a variety of different kinds of drugs available. You may have to test various dosages and medications to find the one that works best for you. A therapist can help you understand your condition and learn to better cope with its effects. undiagnosed adhd in adults can also teach strategies to improve your self-management, focus and organization.
Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often feel as if they are constantly falling behind at school, at work and in their relationships. Even the most tolerant friends, colleagues, and partners can be unhappy with their actions. They might miss deadlines or appointments, and make impulsive choices.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD become more organized, learn coping skills and improve their lives. They can be taught to recognize and modify undesirable behaviors, such as rewarding themselves for motivation or playing computer solitaire to unwind after completing emails. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is conducted in a one-on-one setting, can be extremely helpful. It can help reframe negative situations in an optimistic way. Therapists can help adults who have ADHD understand that their impulsivity doesn't indicate a bad character. It's a normal response to high levels of activity in the brain.
A therapist can teach them ways to cope with anxiety and depression. People who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of developing depression and anxiety. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy as well as group support networks. classes focused on communication skills and conflict resolution. For those employed, the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps with workplace accommodations for individuals who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
Be careful when choosing the right therapist. There are many different therapists who are not alike. You should choose someone with whom you feel comfortable and who can empower you after an appointment, and who is knowledgeable about the kind of therapy you're interested in. Ask your psychiatrist for recommendations if you're seeking a psychosocial therapist. Child psychiatrists, in particular, have a good understanding of the treatment of ADHD and can recommend an expert.
Support
For people with ADHD, their symptoms may be so disruptive that they have to see a doctor for an evaluation. The evaluation is a discussion about the person's life, from childhood to present and how their issues impact school, work, relationships and other aspects of everyday living. It's important that people with ADHD open up honestly without fear or shame of being judged.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria a medical professional will take into consideration during the evaluation.
When visiting a healthcare professional to conduct an assessment, it's helpful to bring any documents that may shed light on symptoms, including old reports and notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will likely ask about the person's family background and life, and conduct a physical examination and some psychological tests.
You should remember that someone's inattention or impulsivity does not mean they are not able to perform their job or other activities. For example, an ADHD person could be extremely imaginative and productive in a variety ways, from writing stories to painting and even designing things.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can trigger many complicated emotions, from guilt over past mistakes to relief that they now realize why they've been struggling for so long. "There's lots of grieving work that needs to happen and once all the pieces are in place and people have that concrete explanation, they really take off," Matlen says.
People with ADHD are often misunderstood by their coworkers or friends. They may have trouble staying focused in meetings or conversations and can be distracted by video games and social media. Certain people with ADHD may be told that they are inactive or over-focused.
Being a supporter for someone with ADHD can help that person gain control of their symptoms at home and work. They can use tools and strategies to improve their organization, like daily planners or apps for smartphones and also seek treatment options from a behavioral expert who specializes in ADHD. Treatments can also include psychotherapy, or therapy for talking, as well as accommodations, or tools or changes in the environment of a person to assist them in managing their condition. For example an accommodation could be a step stool that allows a shorter person to reach higher shelves or other surfaces.