Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Many people suffer with mild or moderate ADHD. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult could be diagnosed when their issues in their lives are serious enough to cause problems with work and relationships.
They might be stressed at work or school, or ashamed for procrastinating. You can ask your primary care doctor for recommendations or look on the internet for health professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.
What is the Diagnosis process?
The process of diagnosis begins with a thorough interview that focuses on the person's medical history. This includes the family history, and major life events like relationships, work and school performance as well as drug and driving history. This includes lifestyle habits like sleep, diet and exercise and any supplements or vitamins the individual may be taking.
The doctor examines the patient's symptoms and compares them with the diagnostic criteria set out in American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes signs of inattention or impulsivity, which have been present for at minimum 6 months and are severe enough to cause disruption to school or work. For adults the threshold is less and five out of nine criteria are required to establish a diagnosis.
A physical exam is typically next, since some illnesses like thyroid issues and seizure disorders can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. This helps the doctor identify possible causes. It also helps them create an "suspects list" which they can then evaluate by conducting additional tests. The tests could range from bloodwork to brain imaging to cognitive testing. They can take a while but are important to ensure that your provider doesn't miss an issue that could be causing your ADHD symptoms.
When the list is narrowed down, it's time for a final diagnosis. The doctor will review the results and recommend treatment in light of their findings. For many, receiving a diagnosis is a life-changing event. It can help make sense of many years of unanswered challenges and problems that were often attributed to laziness or incompetence. It can also lead to the awareness of their strengths and how they can be utilized to their advantage. For some, it may result in a period grief as they consider the opportunities missed because their symptoms went untreated.
If you'd like to be diagnosed with ADHD, it is best to get a specialist assessment on the NHS that will include a full mental health evaluation and an ADHD assessment, along with the referral to your GP for shared management. It can be more difficult to receive a diagnosis privately however, certain GPs will allow an assessment of your ADHD when you are willing to pay for an appointment with a private doctor.
What are the symptoms?
Adults suffering from ADHD can often manage their symptoms and lead productive and fulfilling lifestyles. However, if their symptoms become more severe, they can struggle to find work, maintain healthy relationships, and cope with the stresses of daily life. They might also have issues with finances due to absences from doctor appointments, late fees, or impulsive spending. This can cause feelings of being insecure and low self-esteem.
If you suspect that you have ADHD as an adult, it's important to speak with a health care provider. They will be able to guide you on the best treatment options and recommend you to a specialist when needed. Your healthcare professional will diagnose you using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is an encyclopedia that lists the symptoms of mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have experienced several inattentive symptoms and five or more of the hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms before age 12. The symptoms should also be present in multiple settings and impact your ability to perform at work, school or socially.
Inattentive symptoms include difficulty in paying attention to tasks, forgetting details or not following instructions. They can also cause you to lose items like eyeglasses, keys and paperwork. Hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms include fidgeting or tapping feet, leaving your seat in situations when it's not appropriate, talking too much, or feeling restless.
A person suffering from ADHD may also have trouble keeping a schedule and staying organized, or even doing their homework and chores. They may also have trouble remembering appointments or dates and they can be easily distracted by other activities or people.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can be empowering as it can help you understand why the difficulties you face are not your fault. It is then possible to alter your behavior and improve how you manage time, money, and tasks. You can also learn coping strategies to help you manage your symptoms. Your health professional may suggest lifestyle changes, in addition to medication. This could include an appropriate diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. It is essential to get adequate rest and stay away from sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants prior to the time of bed.
What is the procedure for treatment?
Adults who suffer from ADHD often need more than a prescription to be diagnosed. The people who suffer from this condition also have to change their behavior and lifestyles, and they may need counseling to help them cope with their symptoms.
When an adult sees a medical professional for an ADHD assessment, he or she should be honest with any issues they're experiencing that could be related to ADHD issues, like problems with relationships, issues at work, or difficulties at school. They are likely to be asked to complete an application for information about these areas, and they might be allowed to request that their family members or close friends complete the same. These responses can provide valuable information about the extent to which a person's issues result from ADHD or other issues like physical ailments, stress, depression or ADHD.
The evaluator also takes into consideration the past of the individual as well as their childhood experiences and any traumas that they might have experienced. They may ask the individual to fill out one or more standard behavior rating scales to compare the behaviors of individuals with and without ADHD. They could also be asked to take psychological tests that test executive functioning, working memory and visual and spatial skills.
If a healthcare professional suspects that someone has ADHD they'll usually recommend him or her to a specialist who is experienced in treating the disorder in adults. These specialists can be found by asking your primary physician to recommend a specialist or searching the internet directory for a mental health professional who is familiarized with ADHD. They are also able to join a local adult ADHD support group and talk to other adults who have experienced the same thing.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adults can trigger a variety of emotions, such as relief that there is finally a reason for their symptoms, and anger that they went undiagnosed for too long. Many people may be battling feelings of guilt for not having make more effort or achieve better results in their lives. However, this feeling can be overcome by realizing that their issues are not the result of their own fault and finding the right treatments to improve their quality of life.
What is the Support Process?
When an adult gets diagnosed with ADHD, they may have a range of complicated emotions, like satisfaction that there is now an answer to their issues, sadness over missed opportunities that could have been prevented with a more early diagnosis, or resentment that their issues have been ignored for so long. Getting treated can help you overcome challenges and reach your goals. It is essential to talk to a healthcare professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can help you set realistic goals, devise efficient strategies to improve your everyday life, and also get your family members on the same page.
You can test yourself or rate your own performance using online questionnaires. However these tools can't give you a definitive diagnose. Inquiring with your primary doctor for a referral to an ADHD specialist or using the online directory of your health insurance company to find a doctor with experience treating adults is the best method to get the correct diagnosis.
If you are able to locate a medical professional you must prepare for your appointment by gathering any records relevant to your particular situation. These could include old school reports as well as reports from psychological tests, and evaluations of performance at workplace. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your work-related symptoms and at home, your drug or alcohol use, and your relationships relationships with your family and friends. You may also be required to provide records from other professionals such as a neurologist or psychologist, or a psychiatrist.
Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD usually do so because they are struggling to be successful in their professional and personal lives, and they want to understand what's going on. They may notice their productivity is dropping or their relationships are straining or they may experience ongoing sad moods that don't seem to be explained by other factors.
It can be challenging for some people to obtain an assessment, as health care experts have preconceived notions of what ADHD symptoms look like. This is particularly the case for those who are minorities, have a female at birth, or who are not native English users. There is a growing awareness of these biases, and efforts are being made to combat them.