Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many, the symptoms of ADHD persist throughout their lives. As adults, these issues can have significant impacts on work and family.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms you experience must have started in childhood (technically before the age of 12). The evaluator will look over your medical and personal background.
You may also wish to discuss your issues with your friends, partners or colleagues. This can help them see your challenges from other perspectives.
Diagnosis
In the same way as diagnosing children adults with ADHD must meet specific requirements to be diagnosed. The symptoms must be present for at least two years and have caused significant problems in everyday functioning. This issue could be related to school or work, relationships or daily activities. ADHD symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild symptoms are not a problem with the daily activities of people and are often misdiagnosed as other disorders like depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms cause minor disruptions to social or work interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to maintain a job or maintain relationships.
People who have ADHD may reach a tipping point when they can no longer manage life's routines. They might become unorganized or make careless errors. They can also be impulsive and hyperactive which can cause them to be unable to meet goals and obligations. They may have difficulty recalling information and frequently forget what they've been told.
If you're having difficulty in your daily life and think you might have ADHD you should seek a referral to an individual who is a mental health professional or specialist. Your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist or other professional who can perform an assessment. You can ask a therapist or a family member you know to recommend a person with expertise in ADHD evaluations.
A health professional or psychologist may want to examine your medical history, take an examination of your body and discuss your current concerns with you. They will also ask about your experience having ADHD as a kid. They'll also talk to your spouse and any other important people in your life, such as your parents or your 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're diagnosed with ADHD the psychiatrist will request special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. New Zealand law requires that people with ADHD undergo an additional procedure to be prescribed medication. The psychiatrist will also collaborate with you and your GP to ensure that the medication works.
Medication
Medications can be an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD however they're not the only option. Other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes can also aid. NIMH suggests talking with your doctor to find out more about the options available to you.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your childhood and the way you live your life today, and will conduct physical and psychological test. (These aren't usually required). The evaluator could also ask you to talk to your partner, family members, or any other close to you to get an outsider's view of your behavior.
The severity of your symptoms will determine whether you have adult ADHD. They must be present for six months or more and must be interfering with two major settings in your life, including work and relationships. You must also meet the diagnostic requirements, such as that your symptoms can't be better explained by another mental health condition or substance use disorder.
NIMH recommends that you talk to your doctor about the options available to you. This includes behavioral strategies and medications. Many primary care providers routinely evaluate and treat ADHD in children however, adults who believe they might have it should ask for the referral to a mental health specialist.
Stimulants, the drugs that treat ADHD for adults, can cause adverse side effects like stomach problems, or increased anxiety and depression. They can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Some people develop tics, which are rapid, repetitive actions or sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD also have trouble sleeping while taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends talking to your health care professional about any concerns you might have about the side effects of medication or potential clinical trials that may be suitable for your needs. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods for detecting, preventing or treat diseases. Clinical trials let people discover more about their health and themselves and also the chance to help others. Learn more about clinical trials and select the right one for you by visiting the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Therapy
If an adult suffers from ADHD it is essential to work with a medical professional to manage the symptoms. Medication is one way to manage ADHD and there are a variety of different kinds of medications available. You may need to test different medications and dosages before you discover the right one for you. A therapist can help you in understanding your health condition and how to deal better with its effects. They can also help you learn strategies to improve your self-management skills, organization and attention.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD find themselves constantly behind in school, at work and in their relationships. Their behavior can be a strain on the patience of the most forgiving co-workers as well as friends and partners. They might forget appointments or deadlines and make decisions based on impulsivity.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD to become more organized as well as develop coping skills to improve their lives. They can learn to identify and change undesirable behaviors, such as using rewards for motivation or playing computer solitaire to relax after responding to emails. One-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy can also be beneficial, and it can reframe negative experiences into positive ones. Therapists can help people with ADHD recognize that their impulsivity doesn't suggest a negative character. It's a normal response to high levels of brain activity.
A therapist can help them learn strategies to deal with depression and anxiety. People who suffer from ADHD are at a higher likelihood of suffering from anxiety and depression. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy and support group networks and classes that focus on the ability to resolve conflicts and improve communication. For those who are employed in the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps pay for workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including ADHD.
It is important to keep in mind that not all therapists are the same, and you should choose carefully. Look for someone you can trust, who makes you feel empowered after a session, and who is knowledgeable about the type of therapy you're interested in. For instance, if your goal is to search for a therapist that uses psychosocial techniques Ask your doctor to recommend someone. Child psychiatrists, in particular have a thorough understanding of the treatment of ADHD and can refer you to an expert.
Support
People with ADHD might experience symptoms that are so disruptive, they need to be evaluated by a doctor. This evaluation involves a conversation with the patient about their life from childhood to present and how the symptoms affect school and work relationships, as well as other aspects of life. It is essential that those with ADHD talk about their problems without fear or resentment.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), fifth edition, is a clinical guideline from the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing ADHD in adults. These are the criteria a medical provider will consider during the assessment.
It is essential to bring any documents that can help you understand your symptoms when you meet with an expert in healthcare. diagnosis for adhd include old reports cards or notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will likely ask about the family history of the patient and life, and conduct a physical examination and some psychological tests.
It is important to remember that inattention and impulsivity does not necessarily mean that they lack the ability to perform their job or do other things. For instance, an ADHD person may be imaginative and productive in a variety ways including writing stories, painting to designing things.
If adults are diagnosed with ADHD the sufferers can be afflicted with a variety of emotions. They might be resentful of previous mistakes or be relieved they now know why they've struggled. "There's plenty of grief work that needs to happen however when all the pieces are in place and people have a concrete explanation, they really take off," Matlen says.
People with ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their colleagues as well as their friends and family. They might have difficulty staying focused in conversations or meetings and are at risk of distractions from social media and video games. People with ADHD may even be told that they are inactive or over-focused.
Helping someone suffering from ADHD can assist them to manage their symptoms at home and at work. They can make use of tools to improve their organization like apps for smartphones or daily planners, and may seek treatment options from a behavioral professional who specializes in ADHD. Treatments could include psychotherapy or talk therapy, as well as accommodations, such tools or changes to a person's surroundings which will assist them to better manage their condition. An accommodation could be an aid to help those who are smaller to reach higher shelves or surfaces.