Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Many people have mild or moderate ADHD symptoms. If their problems are severe enough that they interfere with work or relationships they could be diagnosed.
They may find themselves having difficulty meeting the demands of their job or school, enduring stress at home and feeling shame for procrastinating or dealing with situations poorly. They can ask their primary physician for recommendations, or look online or by phone number for health professionals who perform ADHD evaluations.
What is the Diagnosis process?
The diagnosis process begins with a comprehensive interview that delves into the medical history of the person. This includes the family history as well as significant life events such as relationships, work or school performance, drug usage and driving records. It also includes habits of daily life like diet, sleep, and exercise as well as any vitamins or supplements that the individual is taking.
The doctor reviews the person's symptoms and compares them with the diagnostic criteria set out in American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These include signs of inattention and impulsivity that are present for at six months or more, are significant enough to cause problems with work or school and are not explained by another mental health condition. For adults, the threshold is lower: five out of nine criteria must be met to establish a diagnosis.
A physical exam is typically the next step, as some illnesses like thyroid issues and seizure disorders can cause symptoms resembling ADHD. This step gives the provider more information to narrow down possible causes and help them make the list of "suspects" that they can evaluate with further tests. These tests can range from bloodwork, brain imaging and cognitive tests. These tests can take a while but they are vital to ensure your doctor does not miss any problems that could be causing ADHD symptoms.
Once the list is reduced, it's time for a final diagnosis. Iam Psychiatry will go over the results and suggest treatment according to their findings. For many, receiving an diagnosis is a life-changing event. It can provide a reason for the years of struggle and challenges that were unfairly blamed by some on incompetence or lazyness. It can also help them to appreciate their strengths and how to utilize them. Some may experience some regret as they think about the opportunities missed due to their symptoms not being addressed.
If you're hoping to be diagnosed with ADHD on the NHS it is recommended to undergo a specialist evaluation. This will include a mental health assessment, an ADHD assessment, and a referral to your GP to discuss management. It can be more difficult to get a diagnosis privately, but some GPs will agree to assess your ADHD when you are willing to make a payment for a private appointment.
What are the signs?
Adults with ADHD can often manage their symptoms and lead productive and fulfilling lifestyles. If their symptoms become more severe however, they might struggle to find a job or maintain healthy relationships or deal with the pressures of daily life. They might also face issues with their finances due to absences from doctor appointments, late fees, or impulsive spending. This can lead to feelings of failure and low self-esteem.
It is important to talk to your doctor if you suspect you may have ADHD as you grow older. They can give you suggestions on how to treat it and can refer you to a specialist, if needed. The healthcare professional will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose you. It 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. In addition, the symptoms must have been present in two or more settings and they should interfere with or diminish the quality of your school, social or work performance.
Inattention symptoms include forgetting important details or instructions, and difficulties paying attention. You may also lose things like keys, eyeglasses and documents. 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 with ADHD may also have trouble adhering to a plan, staying organized or completing homework and chores. They may also have trouble remembering appointments or dates and they can be easily distracted by other people or their activities.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be empowering, since it helps you to understand that your problems aren't entirely your responsibility. You can then change your habits and improve the way you handle time, money, and tasks. You can also learn coping strategies to help you manage your symptoms. Your health professional may recommend lifestyle changes, in addition to medications. This could include an appropriate diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. It's also important to get enough rest and avoid sugar, caffeine and other stimulants in the hours before bedtime.
What is the treatment process?
Adults with ADHD typically require more than just the right medication to be diagnosed. People with the condition also must work to improve their lifestyles and behavior, and may require counseling to help them cope with their symptoms.
If an adult decides to see a healthcare professional to get an ADHD evaluation, they should be honest about any issues in their lives that could be related to the disorder, for example issues with relationships, as well as problems at work or school. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire which asks for specific information about these areas. You may also be able to ask your family members or acquaintances to complete the same. The answers could be an excellent source of information on whether a person's problems are caused by ADHD or other causes like stress or physical conditions like depression.
The examiner will also take into consideration the history of the individual especially their childhood experiences as well as any traumas they have suffered. The evaluator might ask the person to complete one or more behavioral ratings scales that are standardized, which compare the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not. Psychological tests can be used to test executive function, working memory and visual and spatial abilities.
A healthcare professional can refer an adult suffering from ADHD to a specialist that is familiar with the disorder. They can find these specialists by asking your primary physician for a recommendation or searching the internet directory for a mental health professional who is familiarized with ADHD. They can also join a local adult ADHD support group and talk to other adults who have experienced the same thing.
The diagnosis of ADHD can trigger a variety of emotions among adults, such as anger and sadness over not being diagnosed sooner. Some individuals may even struggle with feelings of guilt that they did not try harder or do better in their lives, but this feeling can be quelled by realizing that their issues are not their own fault, and finding the right treatments to improve their lives.
What is the Support Process?
When an adult gets diagnosed with ADHD, they may experience complicated emotions, like happiness that they have finally found an answer to their struggles, grief over missed opportunities that could have been avoided with a more early diagnosis, or resentment that their symptoms have been largely ignored for many years. However, treatment can help you overcome difficulties and achieve your goals. It's important that you speak to a health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. They can assist you in setting realistic expectations, identify effective strategies for improving your daily life, and also get your family members on the same page.
You can try self-testing or evaluate yourself using online questionnaires, but those tools can't give you an accurate diagnosis. Asking your primary care doctor for a referral to an ADHD specialist or using the online directory of your health insurance provider to locate a doctor with experience treating adults is the best way to receive a proper diagnosis.
It is important to collect any relevant documentation regarding your situation after you have located an expert in medical care. This might include performance evaluations from your workplace and copies of psychological tests, or reports from your school. Then, be prepared to answer questions regarding your personal issues at home and in work as well as your use of alcohol or other drugs and your relationships with friends and family. You might also need to bring records from other professionals, such as a psychiatrist or neurologist.
Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD usually do so because they are struggling to perform well in their professional and personal lives, and they want to know what's happening. They may feel that their performance is declining or that their relationships are not working or they may experience an ongoing sadness that cannot be explained by any other reason.
It can be challenging for some people to receive a diagnosis, because the health care professionals have preconceived notions about what ADHD symptoms look like. This is particularly relevant for people with a disability, born females and non-native English speaking individuals. There is an increasing awareness of these biases and efforts are being made to counter them.