Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can last throughout 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 been present since the early years of your life (technically before age 12). Your evaluator will review your medical and personal background.
They may also talk with your spouse or your coworkers, friends or partner. This can help them see your challenges from other perspectives.
Diagnosis
Adults who suffer from ADHD must also meet certain criteria in order to be diagnosed. The symptoms must have been present for a minimum of 2 years and be causing significant difficulties in daily functioning. This problem may be related to work, school, relationships, or daily activities. Individuals may experience mild moderate, severe, or mild ADHD symptoms. The symptoms aren't affecting normal functioning and are often mistaken for other conditions, like depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms can cause small disruptions in social or work-related interactions. The severity of the symptoms makes it difficult to maintain the job or maintain relationships.
People with ADHD might reach a point where they can no longer manage life's routines. They may lose their focus or make mistakes that are not their fault. They could also be hyperactive and impulsive, causing them to struggle to meet goals and obligations. They may have difficulty recalling information or forgetting what they have been told.
Request an appointment if you're struggling with your day-to-day life and suspect that you may have ADHD. Your GP could recommend you to a psychiatrist or another professional who can conduct an assessment. You may also request a therapist you are familiar with or a family member to suggest someone with experience in ADHD assessments.
A health care provider or psychologist will examine your medical history, conduct physical examination and discuss your current concerns with you. They'll also inquire about your experience dealing with ADHD as a kid. They'll want to speak to the person you live with and any other important people in your life, including your spouse or parents. 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 are diagnosed with ADHD, your psychiatrist will require special authority approval before prescribing medication. This is an additional step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will also collaborate with you and your GP to help ensure that the medication is effective.
Medication
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications, but it's not the only option. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or lifestyle modifications can also prove beneficial. NIMH recommends that you speak with your physician to find out more about your options.
To determine whether you suffer from adult ADHD the healthcare professional will ask you questions about your childhood and life currently, as well as a physical exam and psychological test (these aren't required in most cases). The evaluator could also ask to talk to your spouse or family members, or any other family members who know you to gain a different perspective about how your actions impact your life.
The severity of your symptoms will determine whether you have adult ADHD. The symptoms should last for at least six months and interfere with your relationships and work. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria, which includes that your symptoms aren't better explained by another mental health issue or substance use disorder.
adhd adult diagnosis uk suggests that you speak to your doctor about options. This includes strategies for managing behavior and medications. Many primary care providers regularly assess and treat ADHD among children. Adults who suspect they might have the condition should seek a referral to an expert.
Stimulants, which are the drugs used to treat ADHD in adults, may cause side effects such as stomach issues or an increase in depression and anxiety. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people develop tics, which are sudden repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking 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 might have regarding the potential side effects of medications or about possible clinical trials that could be suitable for you. Clinical trials are research studies which test new methods for detecting, preventing or treat illnesses. Participants in clinical trials are able to learn more about their personal health and have the opportunity to help others. You can find out more about clinical trials and locate the one that is right for you by going to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Therapy
When an adult has ADHD it is important to work with a medical professional to manage the symptoms. There are a variety of medications available to treat ADHD. You may need to try several medications and dosages to find the one that is most effective for you. A therapist can assist you to understand your condition and learn to better cope with its effects. They can also teach strategies to improve your self-management skills, attention and organization.
Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often feel like they are constantly being behind in school, work and in their relationships. Even the most forgiving colleagues, friends, and partners can be unhappy with their actions. They may find themselves ignoring appointments or missing deadlines, and making impulsive choices which don't always work out well.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD to become more organized as well as develop coping skills to improve their lives. They can learn to identify and modify their problematic behaviors, such as using rewards to motivate themselves or playing computer solitaire following the answer to emails. One-on-one cognitive behavior therapy can also be helpful, and it can reframe negative experiences into positive ones. Therapists can help adults who have ADHD understand that their impulsivity does not suggest a negative character. It's a normal response to high levels of activity in the brain.
A therapist can help them learn coping techniques to manage depression and anxiety. People who suffer from ADHD are at a higher likelihood of suffering from anxiety and depression. Other psychosocial treatments include group therapy and family networks and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication skills. adhd adult diagnosis uk of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work, which assists in paying for workplace accommodations, such as ADHD for those who are employed.
It's important to remember that not all therapists are alike and you must choose carefully. Find someone who you can trust and who can make you feel confident after a session and has an expertise in the type of therapy you're interested in. Ask your psychiatrist for recommendations if you are seeking a psychosocial therapist. Children psychiatrists, specifically are well-informed of the treatment for ADHD and can recommend a specialist.
Support
Individuals suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that are so disruptive they need to be evaluated by medical professionals. This evaluation involves having a conversation with the patient about their life from childhood to present and how the symptoms affect work and school as well as relationships and other aspects of everyday living. It is essential that those with ADHD speak up without fear or shame.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). These are the guidelines a medical professional will look at during the evaluation.
When visiting the healthcare professional for an evaluation, it's beneficial to bring any records that may help identify the cause of the symptoms, including old reports and notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will also likely inquire about the individual's life and family history, and conduct a physical exam and some psychological tests.
It is important to keep in mind that just because someone displays inattention and impulsivity does not mean they don't have the appropriate abilities for their job or other pursuits. An ADHD person, for example is able to be productive and creative in a variety of ways, including painting, writing stories, or designing things.
If adults are diagnosed with ADHD the sufferers can be afflicted with a variety of emotions. They might feel guilty about past mistakes or relieved that they understand the reason they struggled. "There is a lot that needs to be done in the area of grief work, but when people have a concrete explanation and all the pieces fall into place it's like they're flying," Matlen explains.
People with ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their colleagues or friends. They may have trouble staying focused during meetings or conversations and may be distracted by video games or social media. Some people with ADHD are told they are lazy or over-focused.
Supporting a loved one with ADHD can help them gain control over their symptoms at home and at work. They can employ tools and strategies to improve their organization, including daily planners or apps for smartphones and can also seek treatment options from a behavioral specialist who is specialized in ADHD. Treatments may include psychotherapy or talk therapy as also accommodations, like devices or changes to a person's surroundings that can help them better manage their condition. For instance an accommodation could be a step stool to allow people who are shorter to access higher shelves or other surfaces.