Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary health care provider for a referral if you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or search online to find professionals who are qualified to evaluate ADHD.
The professionals will inquire about your symptoms right now, but according to current guidelines, it's impossible to determine the cause without taking into consideration your childhood history. Your doctor may request to speak to your teachers, parents or other adults who knew you as a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people with ADHD don't realize they have the condition until adulthood. They might have missed the diagnosis when they were children and then struggle to cope with problems at work, home and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan can assist them in getting their lives back on track.
Adults with ADHD struggle with focusing on planning, focusing and paying attention to details. They tend to act on impulse and are easily distracted. They might be unable to endure activities that bore them, and frequently shift their attention from one task to another. This can result in missing important events as well as poor time management and frequent missteps at work or at school.
Adult adhd symptoms are different for each person. 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 cause significant difficulties in multiple settings.
In certain instances the doctor may review school reports to look for any remarks about behavior problems or a inability to work or underachievement in comparison to your potential. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to talk with their parents. Adults being evaluated by a clinician for ADHD must be honest and forthcoming about their problems. They shouldn't hold back out of fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are not so obvious as those of males. Their struggles can be hidden by the responsibilities of caring for children, or being in gender-specific roles. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting important tasks or being unfocused and late in completing work, and to make mistakes. They might also have trouble with concentration in school or in work. They are also more likely to display fidgeting behavior such as bouncing the foot or tapping it.
Adults suffering from ADHD can still be successful in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to manage their challenges and take advantage of the support they can get. They can also make use of strategies that help to succeed, like using a planner, calendar and phone apps that offer reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to tell the difference between adult ADHD and other daily difficulties such as forgetting to complete appointments or tasks. The difference is crucial since if the disorder is not addressed, treated properly or unmanaged, it can result in serious social and work problems, including financial difficulties and difficult relationships.
A mental health professional who has special training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This could include psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and physicians (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family doctors) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. Professionals with qualifications also know how to deal with co-existing conditions, including anxiety and depression, which are frequently associated with ADHD.
An evaluation to determine if someone is suffering from ADHD will require an extensive interview to look over the patient's medical, personal and family history. The interview will include questions regarding how the individual's ADHD symptoms impact their relationships and work. It is important that the person be honest and not conceal any information.
It is also a good idea to discuss any issues that the person has experienced in their work or home life since the time of their childhood. In many cases, these can be indicators that the person has ADHD. Many people with ADHD struggle to form close relationships and change jobs often. Adults with ADHD often struggle with managing their money and tend to spend more than they need to.
In certain instances an assessment for adult ADHD could include additional tests such as neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities tests to rule out other causes of the person's problems. A person with ADHD could also have one of the learning disorders, like dyscalculia, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
Some people with ADHD might benefit from cognitive behavioral and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. These therapies can help people recognize their own problematic behaviors and thoughts, as well create coping strategies to manage these issues.
Get Help
As adults, many who have ADHD remain afflicted by the same issues they faced in childhood: trouble with relationships and work, difficulty in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These problems often lead to the need for medical referrals to diagnose and treatment. For many, the first step is to speak with a primary care doctor. He or she will probably refer you to an expert in mental health who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine whether you have ADHD or a different condition that causes symptoms that resemble ADHD. He or she will interview you, go over your behavior and history of your family and medical background, and employ psychiatric rating scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also look at your physical health, such as your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms are stress, depression, anxiety, some medications and the use of drugs.
Adults with ADHD often have a hard than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They have learned to hide their symptoms and make excuses for them, but they can still be afflicted by low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Many women are more adept than men at concealing their symptoms, and may have gotten used to being called a slacker, goof-off or a troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will evaluate your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she will likely interview you, as well as your family members and work colleagues. He or she may use old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD can be treated using both pharmacological and behavioral (behavioral) treatments. Medications that help balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters are the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. These include stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine, in addition to nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral therapies can also help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Certain people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes by establishing regular routines and using an organizer or journal. Others have success with counseling for families and marriages or a life coach who can help with time management and organizing skills. Some people with ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at work or school for extended deadlines and flexible time, which makes it easier to meet targets for performance and achieve success.
Finding Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful. It could be the first step to finally taking control of symptoms that have been impacting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms can include difficulty keeping up with school or work obligations and losing personal belongings or appointments, spending money impulsively or not following medical guidelines and much more. These issues can cause chronic stress, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequate. Following the most effective methods and having a strong support system can make a significant difference in the way you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people who had ADHD were incorrectly diagnosed. They might have had trouble finding a job that was suitable or failing in their educational endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. click for source may have regrets about missed opportunities and lost time.
An extensive interview with a mental healthcare specialist is typically required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also present during the interview. In addition, the person will be asked to fill out questionnaires and scales, 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.
Based on the symptoms of a person and the results of psychological tests and symptoms, neuropsychological or additional psychological testing could be necessary. The tests can provide more details about how the individual's ADHD affects their lives and help determine if there are any co-existing disorders that need to be treated.
Adult ADHD is treated by psychotherapy (psychotherapy), educational programs, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and develop skills for coping with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people to alter negative behavior patterns and thinking patterns. Family and marital counseling may also be helpful for individuals with ADHD who have difficulties maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist to recommend a counsellor is the first step to finding a qualified counselor. You can also reach out to a local psychology graduate college or university hospital to get recommendations. Choose a psychologist who you are comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.