Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can persist throughout the course of a person's life. These symptoms can have a major impact on work and family as they grow older.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms must have started in the early years of your life (technically before age 12). Your evaluator reviews your medical and personal background.
They can also talk with your spouse or your friends, colleagues and partners. This lets them see your challenges from a different point of view.
Diagnosis
As with diagnosing children, adults who have ADHD must meet specific requirements to be diagnosed. The symptoms must have been present for at least 2 years and have caused significant difficulties in the way they function. The problem could be a result of school or relationships, work or other daily activities. Individuals may experience mild moderate, severe, or mild ADHD symptoms. Mild symptoms do not interfere with the daily activities of people and are often mistakenly interpreted as other conditions such as anxiety or depression. Moderate symptoms can cause small disruptions in social or work-related interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to maintain relationships or hold an employment.
People with ADHD may reach a tipping point when they find it difficult to cope with life with its usual demands. They might lose their focus and make careless mistakes. They may also be hyperactive or impulsive, leading to trouble accomplishing goals and fulfilling responsibility. They may have difficulty recalling information or forgetting what they were taught.
Request an appointment if you're having trouble with your daily routine and suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. Your GP might recommend you to a psychiatrist, or another professional who can conduct an assessment. You may also consult a therapist that you know or someone from your family to recommend someone who has experience with ADHD evaluations.
A health professional or psychologist will review your medical history, conduct an examination of your body, and discuss your current issues with you. They will also ask about your experiences having ADHD as a kid. They will also want to speak to your partner as well as any other people that are important in your life such as your parents or 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, your psychiatrist must apply for special authority approval prior to prescribing medication. New Zealand law requires that people with ADHD take an additional step to be prescribed medication. The psychiatrist will work with your GP and you to ensure that the medication is effective.
Medication
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking medication however it's not the only option. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or lifestyle modifications are also effective. NIMH suggests talking to your health care provider to learn 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 typically required). The evaluator could also ask to speak to your family or partner or any other family members who know you to gain an outside view about how your actions impact your life.
The severity of your symptoms will determine if you have adult ADHD. The symptoms must last at least six months and interfere with your relationships and work. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria. This means that your symptoms can't be caused by a mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
NIMH suggests talking to your doctor about the options available to you. This includes strategies for managing behavior and medications. Many primary care physicians regularly examine and treat ADHD in children however adults who suspect they might have ADHD should request an appointment with an expert in mental health.
Stimulants, the medications that treat ADHD for adults, can cause adverse side effects like stomach issues or an increase in depression and anxiety. They can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Some people develop tics, which are sudden repeated actions or sounds such as eye blinks or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD also have difficulty sleeping while taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends talking to your health care professional about any concerns you have about the side effects of medication or about possible clinical trials that could be appropriate for you. Clinical trials are research studies that try new methods to prevent, detect, or treat conditions and diseases. Participants in clinical trials are able to gain knowledge about their own health and have the opportunity to help others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and select one that is appropriate for you.
Therapy
If you are an adult with ADHD it is important to work with a medical professional to treat the symptoms. The use of medication is one method to treat ADHD and there are different kinds of medications available. You may need to try various dosages and medications to determine which works best for you. A therapist can assist you to understand your condition and learn how to manage its effects. They can also instruct you on strategies to improve your self-management skills, focus and organization.
Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD find themselves constantly behind at work, in school and in their relationships. Their actions can test the patience of even the most tolerant coworkers or friends. They might miss deadlines or appointments and make decisions based on impulsivity.
In addition to medication therapy can help adults with ADHD get organized, develop strategies to cope and improve their quality of life. They can be taught to recognize and modify their problematic behaviors for example, rewarding themselves with rewards or playing computer solitaire after answering emails. One-on-one cognitive behavior therapy can also be beneficial, and it can reframe negative experiences into positive ones. For example, a therapist can assist adults suffering from ADHD see that their impulsivity is not an indication of bad character; it's an instinctual response to high levels of stimulation in the brain.
A therapist can help them learn ways to cope with depression and anxiety. People with ADHD have a higher chance of developing depression and anxiety. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy and support group networks, as well as classes that concentrate on communication and conflict resolution. For those employed by the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps to pay for workplace accommodations for individuals who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
read review is important to keep in mind that not all therapists are alike, and you should choose carefully. Find someone who you feel comfortable speaking with and who can make you feel confident after a session, and who has experience in 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. Children psychiatrists, specifically have a thorough understanding of the treatment for ADHD and can recommend a specialist.
Support
For people who suffer from ADHD their symptoms could be so disruptive that they need to visit a doctor to be evaluated. This evaluation is a conversation about the person's life, from childhood to present and how their issues affect school, work as well as relationships and other aspects of daily living. It is essential that those with ADHD open up honestly without fear or shame of being judged.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines to diagnose ADHD for adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria a medical professional will look at during the assessment.
It's important to bring along any documents that can provide insight into your condition when you meet with an expert in healthcare. These include old reports cards or notes from family members or parents. The person who conducts the exam will likely inquire about the person's family background and lifestyle, and will also conduct a physical exam as well as some psychological tests.
Remember that inattention and impulsivity does not mean they are not able to do their job or do other things. A ADHD person, for instance can be creative and productive in a variety of ways, such as painting, writing stories, or creating things.
When people are diagnosed as having ADHD and are diagnosed with it, they may experience a range of emotions. They might be resentful of past mistakes or relieved that they finally know why they have struggled. "There is a lot to be done in the area of grief work, but when people have a clear explanation and all the pieces fall into place and they can really move on," Matlen explains.
Individuals with ADHD often feel that they are not understood by colleagues or family members and friends. They may struggle to stay focused during meetings or conversations and are easily distracted by video games or social media. Some people with ADHD are told they are lazy or over-focused.
Helping a loved one who suffers from ADHD can assist them in gaining control over their symptoms, both at home and at work. They can use strategies and tools to improve their organization, like daily planners or apps for smartphones and can also seek treatment options from a behavioral expert who specializes in ADHD. Treatments may also include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and accommodations or modifications in a person's environment that help them better manage their condition. For example an accommodation could be a step stool for a shorter person to access higher shelves or other surfaces.