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Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD You should consult your primary care physician for a referral. You can also seek recommendations from friends and family or search the internet for specialists who are able to conduct ADHD evaluations.
A medical professional will ask questions regarding your current symptoms, however under current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be determined without taking into account your past history. Your doctor may request to speak to your parents, teachers or any other adult who knew you when you were an infant.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people who suffer from ADHD don't realize they have it until they reach adulthood. They may not have been diagnosed as children and are struggling to deal with difficulties at the classroom, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan will assist people get their lives back in order.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble focusing, planning or paying attention to details. They are more prone to act on impulse, and are easily distracted. They may also find it difficult to endure activities that bore them, and frequently shift their focus from one task to another. This can result in missing important events, poor time management and frequent mistakes at work or at school.
The signs of adhd in adulthood are different for every person. It is common for them to manifest in the early years of childhood, but can also show up as an adult or in adolescence. The symptoms must be present for at least six months and create significant difficulties in a variety of settings to be diagnosed.
A doctor will examine your school report card to see if there are any comments about your behavior or inefficiency. The doctor may also ask that the person being assessed speak to their parents. It is essential that adults who are being assessed for ADHD discuss their concerns in a candid and honest manner with the physician. They shouldn't be shy from fear of shame or embarrassment.
Women with ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms aren't as evident as those of men. Their struggles may be concealed by the responsibilities of caring for children or by performing more traditional gender-specific roles. The signs of ADHD for women include forgetting or being absentminded about important tasks, being slow to complete work on time, committing frequent errors and having trouble staying focused at school or in the workplace. They tend to engage in fidgeting such as tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are still capable of having success in their personal and professional life. They just need to learn how to deal with their issues and make use of the help they can access. They can also take advantage of strategies that help to achieve success, such as using a planner or a calendar and phone apps that offer reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It can be difficult to tell the distinction between adult ADHD and other daily difficulties like forgetting tasks or appointments. The difference is important as if the condition is not addressed, treated properly or unmanaged, it can cause serious social and work problems such as financial issues and difficult relationships.
A mental health professional who has special training and experience treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, and physicians (such neurologists, psychiatrists, or family doctors who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). Qualified professionals also understand co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which are often associated with ADHD.
An in-depth interview will be conducted to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD. This will include a review of the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will include questions about how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their relationships and work. It is important to be honest and not conceal any details.
It is also an excellent idea to raise any issues that the person has faced in their home or work life since the time of their childhood. In many cases, these issues can reveal patterns that indicate that the person is suffering from ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming close relationships and change jobs frequently. Adults with ADHD often have trouble managing their money and tend to spend more than they should.
In certain cases, an evaluation of adult ADHD may include other tests, like neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests, to rule out any other causes for the person's problem. A person with ADHD may 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.
In addition to treatment techniques and lifestyle adjustments, some people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy and/or psychotherapy. These can help people recognize their own behavior and thoughts as well as formulate coping strategies for managing them.
Receiving Treatment
As adults, many who have ADHD continue to experience the same issues that they had in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, as well as difficulties getting through school or finding work. These issues usually result in the need for medical referrals to diagnose and treatment. For many, the first step is to speak to a primary care provider. The doctor will likely recommend you to a mental health professional who is experienced in diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another disorder that can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. He or she will ask you questions, go over your behavior and history, ask about your family history and medical history, and utilize questionnaires and psychiatric scales. The doctor will also assess your physical health, including blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms are depression, anxiety, stress, some medications and alcohol abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may be unable to recognize the disorder. They've learned to conceal their symptoms and make excuses for them, but they can have low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Many women are better at hiding their symptoms than men and could be labeled as a goof-off, slacker or troublemaker.
During an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will examine your symptoms and how they impact your life. He or she may interview you and your family as well as your colleagues at work. They may also use old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD are pharmacological and behavioral (medication). The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine as well as nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral therapies like cognitive behavior therapy and education on ADHD may also be helpful. Certain people with ADHD may benefit from lifestyle changes like keeping a diary or planner and establishing routines. Family and marriage counseling or a life coach who can assist with time management and organizing skills, are beneficial for others. Some people with ADHD may also benefit from accommodating at school or work for extended deadlines or flex time, which can make it easier to achieve the goals of performance and be successful.
Find Support
A diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It can also be the first step in finding a way to manage the symptoms that may be affecting your life for a long time. Adult symptoms of ADHD could include having trouble staying on top of work or school obligations, losing important personal items, missing appointments, spending money impulsively not following medical guidelines and more. These problems can lead to an ongoing stress level, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequate. Having a good support system and adhering to the best practices can make all the difference in the way you deal with your issues.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have struggled to find the right job for them, failed their educational pursuits and had trouble finding long-term relationships. They might be replete with regrets over missed opportunities or lost times.
A comprehensive interview with a mental healthcare professional is usually required to determine the severity of adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also included in the interview. The person is also asked to complete questionnaires and scales and discuss their past experiences. 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 getting a adhd diagnosis and their symptoms, additional tests in neuropsychology or psychotherapy could be performed. The tests can provide more information about the ways the individual's ADHD affects their lives, and can help determine whether there are any co-existing issues that need to be treated.
Adult ADHD is treated with psychological counseling (psychotherapy) as well as educational programs, and occasionally medication. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage ADHD and develop strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thinking patterns and behavior. Family and marital counseling may also be helpful for individuals with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
A doctor or specialist for a recommendation is the first step towards finding a qualified counselor. You can also contact a local university-based hospital or graduate school of psychology to obtain recommendations. Choose a practitioner who you feel comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.
