Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can last throughout the life of a person. As adults, these symptoms can have significant effects on work and family.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms must have been present since the early years of your life (technically before age 12). Your evaluator reviews your medical and personal history.
They can also talk with your spouse or partner, friends and coworkers. This can help them see your problems from different angles.
Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD must also meet certain criteria to be diagnosed. The symptoms must have been present for at least two years and have caused significant problems in everyday functioning. This problem may be related to work, school, relationships, or daily activities. Individuals may experience mild or moderate ADHD symptoms. The symptoms that are mild do not interfere with daily functioning and are often misdiagnosed as other illnesses like anxiety or depression. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions in social or work interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to maintain jobs or maintain relationships.
People who have ADHD may reach a tipping point when they are unable to manage life's demands. They might become unorganized or make careless errors. They can also be hyperactive and impulsive, causing them to have difficulty meeting objectives and responsibilities. They might have difficulty remembering things or forget what they have been told.
If you're having difficulty in your daily life and suspect you have ADHD you should seek the referral to a mental health provider or specialist. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist or any other professional who can do an assessment. You could also ask a therapist you know or someone from your family to recommend someone who has experience with ADHD evaluations.
A health professional or psychologist will go over your medical history and conduct an examination. They'll also discuss your current concerns with you. They will also ask about your experience dealing with ADHD as a kid. They'll also want to talk to your partner and any other important people to you, like 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 seek special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. This is an additional step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will also work with you and your GP to help ensure that the medication is effective.
Medication
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking medication, but it's not the only option. Other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications can also be helpful. NIMH recommends that you speak to your doctor to learn more about the options available to you.
Your healthcare professional will ask you questions about your childhood and what your life is like today, and will conduct an examination of your body and psychological test. (These aren't typically required). The evaluator could also ask to speak to your partner or family members or any other family members who know you, to gain a different perspective about how your actions impact your life.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD is determined by whether your symptoms are mild or moderate. They have to be present for a minimum of six months and must interfere with two important areas of your life, such as relationships and work. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria. This includes that your symptoms cannot be explained by another mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
NIMH recommends talking to your health-care provider about your options, which include behavioral strategies and medications. A lot of primary care doctors regularly evaluate and treat ADHD in children, but adults who think they may have ADHD should request an appointment with an expert in mental health.
Stimulants, the medications that treat ADHD in adults, can cause side effects, such as stomach problems, or increased anxiety and depression. They can also raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Some people develop tics - sudden, repetitive movements, or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD have trouble sleeping when they are taking stimulants.
NIMH suggests that you talk with your physician about any concerns you have regarding side effects from drugs or clinical trials that may be in the pipeline. Clinical trials are research studies which test new methods for detecting, preventing or treat diseases. Clinical trials help people learn more about their health and themselves as well as the opportunity to assist others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and select one that is appropriate for you.
Therapy
If an adult suffers from ADHD it is important to work with a doctor to treat the symptoms. Medication is one way to treat it and there are a variety of different kinds of drugs available. You may have to try different dosages and medications before you discover the right one for you. A therapist can assist you in understanding the condition and learning to cope better with its effects. They can also help you learn techniques to improve your attention span, self-management, and organization.
Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD feel constantly behind at work, in school and in their relationships. Their behavior can be a strain on the patience of the most tolerant coworkers or friends. They may miss deadlines or appointments, and make decisions based on impulsivity.
In addition to medications therapy can also aid adults with ADHD get organized, develop strategies for dealing with the disorder and improve their lives. They can learn how to identify and change bad habits, like rewarding themselves for motivation or playing computer solitaire to unwind after completing emails. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is done in a one-on-one setting, can be extremely helpful. It can assist in reframe negative situations in an optimistic way. Therapists can help adults who have ADHD understand that their impulsivity does not indicate a bad character. It's an normal response to high levels of activity in the brain.
People suffering from ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression, so a therapist can teach them strategies for coping to manage these issues. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy as well as support groups for groups and classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution. For individuals employed in the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps to pay for workplace accommodations for those with disabilities, including ADHD.
Be careful when selecting an counselor. Not all are alike. You should pick one with whom you feel comfortable and who can empower you after a session, and who is knowledgeable about the kind of therapy you're interested in. For instance, if you're looking for a therapist that uses psychosocial techniques consult your psychiatrist to recommend someone. Children psychiatrists, specifically have a thorough understanding of the treatment options for ADHD and can recommend a specialist.
Support
Individuals suffering from ADHD may have symptoms that are so disruptive they require evaluation by an expert doctor. undiagnosed adhd in adults involves a conversation with the patient about their experiences from childhood to the present and how the symptoms affect school and work relationships, as well as other aspects of life. It's important that people with ADHD are honest about their experiences without fear or shame of criticism.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines to diagnose ADHD in adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria medical professionals will look over during the assessment.
When you visit the healthcare professional to conduct an assessment, it's helpful to bring any records that could help identify the cause of the symptoms, including old report cards and notes from friends or parents. The person who is conducting the exam will likely also inquire about the patient's family and life history, as well as conduct a physical examination and psychological tests.
It is important to keep in mind that just because someone has inattention or impulsivity, it does not mean they don't have the right skills for their job or other pursuits. An ADHD person, for example, can be productive and creative in a variety of ways, such as painting, writing stories or designing things.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can trigger a variety of complicated emotions, ranging from guilt about past mistakes to relief that they finally recognize the reason they've struggled so much. "There's a lot of grief work that needs to happen however once all the pieces are in place and people have that concrete explanation, they really begin to take off," Matlen says.
People suffering from ADHD are often misunderstood by coworkers or friends. They may have trouble staying focused during meetings or conversations and are prone to distractions like social media and video games. Certain people who suffer from ADHD might even be told that they are unmotivated or apathetic.
Being a supporter for someone with ADHD can help that person gain control of their symptoms at home and work. They can employ strategies and tools to improve their organization, like daily planners and smartphone apps and can also seek out treatment options from a behavioral therapist who is skilled in ADHD. Treatments can include psychotherapy or talk therapy as well as accommodations, such tools or modifications to a person's surroundings that will help them better manage the condition. For instance, an accommodation might be a step stool to allow people who are shorter to reach higher shelves or other surfaces.