Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
A lot of people suffer from mild or moderate ADHD symptoms. They may get a diagnosis when their issues in their lives are so severe that they interfere with relationships and work.
They may feel overwhelmed at school or work, or ashamed for procrastinating. You can ask your primary care physician for recommendations or search on the internet for health professionals who carry out ADHD assessments.
What is the Diagnosis Process?
The diagnosis process starts with an extensive interview that examines the medical history of the person. This includes the family history, as well as significant life events such as relationships, work and school performance, drug use and driving records. This includes habits of daily life like diet, sleep and exercise, as well as any vitamins and supplements that the individual is taking.
The doctor then examines the symptoms of the patient and compares them to the diagnostic criteria defined by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes signs of impulsivity or inattention which have been present for at minimum 6 months and are serious enough to cause disruption to school or work. Adults have a lower threshold of only five of nine criteria is required to determine a mental health condition.
The next step is usually a physical exam, as some conditions like thyroid problems and seizures can trigger ADHD-like signs. This helps the doctor determine the possible causes. It also assists them create an "suspects list" which they then examine by conducting additional tests. The tests could range from bloodwork to brain imaging to cognitive testing. These tests can take a while, but they are necessary to ensure that your doctor does not miss any problems that could be causing ADHD symptoms.
Once the list has been narrowed down to a specific list, a final diagnosis can be made. The doctor will review the results and suggest treatment in light of their findings. A diagnosis can be a life-changing event for many. It can help make sense of long-running problems and struggles that were often blamed on incompetence or laziness. It also helps them to appreciate their strengths and how to use them to their advantage. For some, it could cause a period of grief as they consider the opportunities that were missed because of the symptoms were not treated.
If you're looking to be diagnosed with ADHD on the NHS it is recommended to have a specialist assessment. This should include an assessment for mental health, an ADHD assessment, and an appointment with your GP to discuss management. It isn't always easy to receive a diagnosis in private, but certain GPs will allow an assessment of your ADHD in the event that you're willing to make a payment for an appointment in private.
What are the Symptoms?
Adults with ADHD have a tendency to manage their symptoms to lead productive and fulfilling lifestyles. If their symptoms become more severe however, they could struggle to find their job and maintain healthy relationships or deal with the pressures of daily life. They might also face issues with finances due to absences from doctor appointments, late fees, or excessive spending. This could cause them to feel that they are failing and feel low self-esteem.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD as an adult, it's essential to speak with an expert in health care. They can provide advice on treatment options and recommend you to a specialist when needed. Your healthcare professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose you, which is the book that lists the symptoms of mental health conditions.
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 must affect your ability to perform at school, work or socially.
Inattention symptoms include forgetting important details or instructions, and difficulties paying attention. They can also result in losing things like keys, eyeglasses, and papers. 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 is also prone to having difficulty following a schedule and staying organized, or even completing homework and chores. They can also have difficulty remembering appointments or dates and they can be easily distracted by other activities or people.
A diagnosis of ADHD is empowering, as it helps you to understand that your issues aren't your fault. It is then possible to alter your behavior and improve how you handle time, money and other tasks. You can also learn strategies to help deal with your symptoms. In addition to medications, your health care professional may prescribe lifestyle changes, including eating a balanced diet and consistent exercise. It's also important to get enough sleep and avoid caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants in the hours prior to bedtime.
What is the Treatment Process?
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult often involves more than just finding the appropriate medication. People with the condition also must work to improve their lifestyle and behavior and they may need counseling to help cope with their symptoms.
When an adult visits an expert in healthcare for an ADHD evaluation, he or must be forthcoming about any issues they're having that may be related to ADHD like relationship issues, problems at work, or issues at school. They will likely be asked to fill out an application for information about these areas, and they may be given permission to have their family members or close friends do the same. These answers can give valuable information about whether a person's problems are due to ADHD or other issues like stress, physical conditions like depression or even ADHD.
The evaluator also takes into account the individual's history, particularly their childhood experiences as well as any traumas they might have suffered. They might ask the person to complete one or more standard behavior rating scales to compare the behaviors of individuals with and without ADHD. Psychological tests are often administered to measure working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual skills.
If a healthcare professional thinks an individual has ADHD, they will usually refer the person to a specialist experienced with the condition in adults. These specialists can be found by asking their primary doctor for a recommendation or by searching the internet for a mental healthcare professional who is experienced in ADHD. You can also join a local adult ADHD support group and meet other adults who have experienced the same thing.
The diagnosis of ADHD can cause a range of emotions in adults, such as anger and sadness over not being diagnosed sooner. Some people may be feeling guilty for not trying to do better in their lives. However, the guilt can be eased when they realize that their difficulties were not their fault and find the right treatment to improve their performance.
What is the Support Process?
If an adult is diagnosed with ADHD, they may experience complicated emotions, such as relief that there is finally a concrete explanation for their difficulties, regret over missed opportunities that could have been avoided through a earlier diagnosis, or anger that their symptoms have been overlooked for so long. However, treatment can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. It's essential to speak to a health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. They can help you set realistic expectations, identify effective strategies for improving your daily life, and also get your family members on the same page.
You might try to self-test or score yourself using online questionnaires, but those tools can't give you a definitive diagnosis. The best method to get an accurate assessment is to ask your primary care doctor for an appointment with a specialist, or contact your health insurance company's online directory to locate an expert who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD.
It is important to collect any relevant records to your particular situation after you have identified an expert in medical care. This could include old school report cards as well as copies of psychological tests, and evaluations of performance at work. Be prepared to answer questions about your behavior at work and at home, your use of alcohol or drugs as well as your relationships and relationships with your family and friends. diagnose adhd may also need to bring records of other professionals such as a neurologist or psychologist, or a psychiatrist.
Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD usually do so because they are struggling to perform well in their personal and professional lives, and they want to understand what's happening. They may feel their productivity is declining or their relationships are strained or they may be suffering from an unrelenting sadness that cannot be explained by any other reason.
For certain people who are struggling to be diagnosed because health professionals may have preconceived ideas about what the symptoms of ADHD look like. This is particularly true for minorities, people born female or non-native English speaking individuals. There is increasing awareness of these biases and efforts are being made to counter them.