ADHD in Adults Diagnosis and Treatment
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in every area of your life. You may struggle to maintain relationships and employment which can lead to frequent job changes or low ratings for performance.
Ask your primary care physician to recommend you to a health professional who can evaluate adults with ADHD. You can then get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause problems with staying focused, paying close attention, and responding to impulses. Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have issues at school, work and in their relationships. It's a common disorder however it can be difficult for adults to diagnose, as they may not remember symptoms from childhood or have been incorrectly diagnosed.
Anyone seeking an assessment of ADHD in adults must consult a health care provider with experience in ADHD evaluations. A doctor's request to refer you to someone who is an ADHD specialist can be performed by a person. They can also call local hospitals that are affiliated with universities, medical schools, or graduate schools to ask for a recommendation.
When conducting an evaluation of adults, a doctor will consider how long symptoms have been present and whether they have affected the life of the patient. They will also look at whether the ADHD symptoms were present in childhood. The clinician will also determine if the person meets diagnostic guidelines for either the predominantly inattentive, the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive or combined subtypes of the disorder.
To diagnose ADHD the patient must have significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives like at work or home; with friends and family or in particular activities, such as driving or playing sports. The symptoms must be significant and persistent for at least six months before being considered impaired.
The clinician will also rule out other conditions that may cause the same symptoms as ADHD such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse disorders. They may also do additional neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities to determine if the patient has co-existing disorders.
People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD might feel dissatisfied because they're not receiving the support and assistance they need. Adults have reported feeling relieved and refreshed after obtaining the diagnosis. Some adults regret missing opportunities or failed to realize their ADHD symptoms were not identified and untreated. Some people who suffer from ADHD are hesitant to admit they have ADHD, especially women who were assigned female at birth. Some are reluctant due to the stigma surrounding it.
Symptoms
Unlike children, adults with ADHD aren't able to overcome their condition. It can last throughout adulthood and have similar impacts on relationships, work as well as family life and mental health. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms are present in both adults and children with ADHD. However the symptoms of adults are more severe. For instance, they can impact a person's job performance and lead to troubled relationships. A professional can offer support and help.
The first step is to locate a qualified evaluator like a psychiatrist or psychologist. Request recommendations from your friends and family members or look online for professionals in your area. Many people who suffer from ADHD are also suffering from other illnesses like anxiety and depression, which must be considered in their diagnosis and treatment.
Your evaluator would like to learn as much as possible about your life. A detailed history, especially one that stretches across your entire childhood, can give clues to whether your ADHD symptoms are linked to other disorders. Your evaluator might inquire about your physical health and well-being, your growth in the early years of your life, experiences in school and at work and driving history, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, and how you handle stress on a daily on a daily basis.
If your evaluator suspects that you are suffering from ADHD the person will assess your symptoms to determine the extent to which they affect your daily routine. For a diagnosis to be granted, your symptoms must be significant enough to cause impairment in at least two major situations. Examples of impairment include losing your job due to poor time management skills, getting into financial trouble due to reckless spending or inability to make payments on time, and interpersonal issues in your relationship because of communication difficulties.
You can increase your ability to manage your ADHD symptoms by learning to deal with the challenges they create. You can lower stress levels by keeping a clear schedule and observing a routine. You can also get more sleep, avoid eating sweet or caffeinated foods close to bedtime and exercise regularly. Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to manage their symptoms. Others use medication to reduce their symptoms.
Treatment
The first step for adults who think they might be suffering from ADHD is to talk to their health care provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health who is specialized in adult ADHD evaluations or offer recommendations for professionals who are able to do this. Certain insurance companies also provide professionals by specialty and can assist those who take part in their plans to locate a specialist.
The most important factor in diagnosing ADHD in adults is the history of the individual. For instance, a physician may ask to review school reports from the person's childhood or talk to family members about his or her behaviors in the beginning of their lives. The health specialist will then look for patterns of behavior that could be indicative of ADHD.
During the evaluation, the health care provider can also utilize one of several standardized rating scales. These tests compare the patient's behavior with those of people who do not suffer from ADHD and can help the doctor determine whether or not the symptoms meet diagnostic criteria.
Additionally an examination by a doctor is generally required to determine if there are medical conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. Seizures, thyroid problems, and issues with hearing and vision can all cause similar symptoms.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Particularly, cognitive behavior therapy can help patients to change their negative thoughts and behaviors. This can help reduce stress, which can often cause ADHD symptoms worse. Counseling can help people better manage their time, enhance their organizational skills, and develop more effective ways to deal with stressful situations.
Stimulants are the most popular treatments for ADHD in adults. They appear to increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. However, these medications can cause serious side effects for some individuals, especially teenagers and children. These drugs are usually prescribed for short-term use and are not suitable for all people.
Other treatment options include lifestyle changes and psychotherapy. For instance, some people with ADHD find that exercising more regularly can aid in their focus and make them more productive. Other people with ADHD benefit from learning to improve their organizational and planning capabilities. Additionally, those who are having difficulty keeping jobs or maintain relationships can seek help from a disability support service such as Access to Work.
Support
Diagnosed and treated effectively, you can manage problems that affect your life. It can also make a difference in your self-image and improve relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers. It is never too late to get an assessment or treatment for ADHD.
getting diagnosed with adhd may recommend a mental health facility that specializes in treating adult ADHD. This could be a Community Mental Health Service or a specialized Neurodevelopmental Service.
There are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD that can provide advice and a sense of community. You can join online forums and talk to other members about their experiences. There are coaches and mentors who specialize in helping people with ADHD. It is important to be aware, however, that coaching and mentorship are self-regulated jobs and there are a variety of differences in terms of expertise and quality.
ADHD symptoms usually start in childhood but can persist well into adulthood. The disorder is more common for men and boys than women and girls. The inattentive subtype of the disorder (formerly called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are more likely to be diagnosed as compared to those who have the combined type. Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive subtype are less common in adults than those of the inattentive type, but they can still occur.
It can be difficult to determine adult ADHD because symptoms vary from person to. A history of difficulties in work, school or relationships can help a doctor identify patterns. A thorough medical history could also be useful. The history can be used to rule out or determine the cause. These include developmental disorders, seizure disorders, depression, anxiety as well as certain medications.
A person suffering from untreated ADHD can develop a poor self-image and low self-esteem as a result of persistent frustration and failure. They may also develop comorbidities such as depression or anxiety and this can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Some adults with ADHD participate in clinical trials to help researchers understand more about the disorder. This can lead to improved treatments in the near future. On the NIMH site, you can get some suggestions about how to speak to your doctor about participating in a study.