Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Many people suffer from moderate or mild ADHD. They could be diagnosed if their life problems are so severe that they interfere with work and relationships.
They may feel stressed at work or school or embarrassed for putting off work. They can ask their primary physician for recommendations, or search online or call a number to find health professionals who perform ADHD evaluations.
What is the Diagnosis Process?
The diagnosis process starts with a comprehensive interview that delves into the person's medical history. This includes the family history, as well as significant life events like relationships, work and school performance, drug use and driving records. This includes lifestyle habits such as sleep, diet and exercise, as well as any vitamins or supplements the person is taking.
Then the provider examines the patient's symptoms and compares them with the diagnostic criteria laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes signs of inattention or impulsivity, which have been present for at minimum 6 months and are significant enough to interfere either with school or work. For adults the threshold is less and five out of nine criteria are required to establish a diagnosis.
The next step is typically a physical exam, as certain illnesses like thyroid problems and seizures can trigger ADHD-like signs. This test helps the physician identify possible causes. It also helps them create an "suspects list" which they then examine by conducting further tests. The tests can involve anything from brain imaging to cognitive testing. They may take some time but are crucial to ensure that your doctor doesn't overlook the issue that may be the cause of your ADHD symptoms.
Once the list is narrowed down and a definitive diagnosis is established. The doctor will review the results and make a recommendation in light of what they've found. A diagnosis can be life-changing for a lot of people. It can help explain the years of struggle and challenges that were blamed by some on incompetence or lazyness. It can also lead to the awareness of their strengths and how they can be used to their advantage. Some may experience a sense of regret as they reflect on the opportunities they missed because of their ailments not being treated.
If you'd like to be diagnosed with ADHD, it is best to undergo a specialist assessment on the NHS, which should include a full mental health assessment as well as an ADHD assessment, plus an appointment with your GP for shared management. It isn't always easy to get a diagnosis privately however certain GPs will allow an assessment of your ADHD in the event that you're willing to pay for an appointment with a private doctor.
What are the signs?
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to manage their symptoms to lead productive and fulfilling lifestyles. If their symptoms get more severe, however, they may struggle to find their job or maintain healthy relationships or manage the stress of daily life. Financial problems may also arise due to absences from doctor's appointments, late fees, or impulse purchases. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.
It is important to talk to your doctor if you think you might have ADHD in your adulthood. They can provide suggestions on how to treat it and may refer you to a specialist, should you require. The healthcare professional will diagnose you using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that is an article that lists the symptoms of mental health disorders.
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 signs should have been present in more than one setting and they should interfere with or diminish the quality of your school, social or work performance.
Inattention symptoms include a tendency to forget details or instructions, and difficulty paying attention. You may also lose things like eyeglasses, keys, and paperwork. 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 keeping a schedule and staying organized, as well as doing their homework and chores. More Support may also have trouble remembering appointments or dates and they could be easily distracted by other people or activities.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be empowering as it helps you understand that your issues aren't your fault. You can then alter your habits and improve the way you manage time, money and tasks. You can also learn strategies to help you cope with your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe lifestyle changes, in addition to medication. This could include an appropriate diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. 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 procedure?
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult often involves more than just finding the correct medication. People who suffer from the condition have to change their lifestyle and behavior and may require counseling to help them cope with their symptoms.
If an adult decides to a healthcare professional for an ADHD evaluation, they should be honest about any problems in their lives that could be related to the disorder, for example problems with relationships and difficulties at school or work. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that asks for details in these areas. You might also be able to ask your family or friends to complete the same. These responses can provide an important insight into whether the person's issues are caused by ADHD or other factors like stress, physical conditions like depression, or even ADHD.
The evaluator will also take into consideration the past of the individual including their childhood experiences and traumas that they might have experienced. The examiner may ask the person to complete one or several behavioral ratings scales that are standardized that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who don't. Psychological tests may 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 who is familiar with the disorder. They can locate these specialists by asking their primary care doctor to refer them or searching for a mental health professional who is experienced with ADHD in the online directory of their health insurance plan. You can also join an in-person support group for adults who suffer from ADHD and speak with others who have had the same thing.
The diagnosis of ADHD can cause a range of emotions among adults, including satisfaction and anger at not being diagnosed earlier. Some people may be feeling guilty for not trying harder or making progress in their lives. However, this guilt can be quelled when they realize that their difficulties were not their fault and they can find the best treatment to improve their performance.
What is the Support Process?
If an adult is diagnosed with ADHD They may be confronted with a variety of emotions, such as happiness that they have finally found an explanation for their difficulties, regret over missed opportunities that could have been prevented with a more early diagnosis, or anger that their issues have been largely ignored for so long. Being treated can help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals. It's important to talk to a medical professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. They can help you set realistic expectations, find efficient strategies to improve your daily life, and help get family members on the same page.
You can try to self-test yourself or rate your own performance using online questionnaires. However these tools can't provide a definitive diagnosis. A conversation with your primary care physician for a referral an ADHD specialist or using the online directory of your health insurance provider to find a specialist who is experienced in treating adults is the best method to get the correct diagnosis.
Once you find an expert in medicine you must prepare for your appointment by collecting any records relevant to your particular situation. These could include old school reports as well as reports from 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 relationships with family and friends. You may also need to carry the records of other professionals like psychologists, neurologists or a psychiatrist.
Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD usually do so because they're struggling to perform well in their personal and professional lives, and they wish to understand what's going on. They might feel that their productivity is declining or that their relationships are strained or they may be suffering from an unrelenting sadness that cannot be explained by any other cause.
It can be challenging for some people to get an assessment, as health care experts have preconceived notions of what ADHD symptoms appear like. This is especially true for minorities, people born female and non-native English speaking individuals. There is a growing awareness of these biases, and efforts are being made to combat these biases.