Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many people, the symptoms of ADHD continue throughout their life. These symptoms can have a major impact on family and work as they grow older.
To be diagnosed with ADHD your symptoms must have been evident since the early years of your life (technically, prior to the age of 12). The evaluator will review your medical and personal history.
You may also want to speak with your partner, friends or colleagues. This helps them view your issues from a different perspective.
Diagnosis
As with diagnosing children adults with ADHD must meet specific requirements to be diagnosed. The symptoms must be present for at least 2 years and cause significant problems in everyday functioning. This issue could be related to school, relationships, work or other daily activities. Individuals may experience mild, moderate, or severe ADHD symptoms. Mild symptoms don't interfere with everyday functioning and are often confused with other conditions, like depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions in social or work interactions. In severe cases, it can be difficult to keep the job or maintain relationships.
People who have ADHD might reach an extreme point at which they are unable to manage life's routines. They might lose their focus and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They may also be impulsive or hyperactive, leading to trouble fulfilling their goals and obligations. They might have difficulty remembering things or forget what they were taught.
Ask for an appointment if you're struggling with your day-to-day life and think you might have ADHD. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist or another professional who can do an assessment. You may also ask a therapist you know or a family member to recommend someone who has experience with ADHD assessments.
A doctor or psychologist will examine your medical history, perform physical examination, and discuss your current concerns with you. They'll also inquire about your experience having ADHD as a child. They'll likely want to talk 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're diagnosed with ADHD, the psychiatrist will request special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. This is a step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will work with your GP and you to make sure that the medication works.
Medication
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications, but it's not the only option. adhd undiagnosed in adults as cognitive behavior therapy or lifestyle changes can also prove beneficial. NIMH suggests talking with your physician to find out more about the options available to you.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your childhood and how your life is today, and will conduct physical and psychological tests. (These aren't typically required). Your evaluator might also ask you to talk to your spouse or family members, or other people who know you, to gain a different perspective on how your behavior affects your life.
The severity of your symptoms will determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and they must 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 with your doctor about options. This includes behavioral strategies and medications. Many primary care physicians routinely evaluate and treat ADHD in children however adults who suspect they may have it should seek an appointment with a mental health specialist.
The stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults can trigger side effects like stomach problems, anxiety, and depression. They also can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Certain people develop tics which are sudden, repetitive actions or sounds such as eye blinks or throat clearing. Some people suffering from ADHD also have difficulty sleeping while taking stimulants.
NIMH suggests talking with your physician regarding any concerns you might have about side effects of treatments or potential clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods to prevent, detect or treat conditions and diseases. Clinical trials let people gain knowledge about their health and themselves as well as the chance to help others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to learn 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 manage the symptoms. There are a variety of medication that can be used to treat ADHD. You may need to try various dosages and medications to determine which is most effective for you. A therapist can aid you in understanding the condition and help you cope better with its effects. They can also teach strategies to improve your self-management, attention and organization.
Adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often feel that they're always being behind in school, at work and in their relationships. Their actions can test the patience of even the most forgiving co-workers, friends and partners. They may miss deadlines or appointments and make decisions based on impulsivity.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD to become more organized and learn to manage their ADHD and improve their quality of life. They can learn to recognize and alter their bad habits for example, rewarding themselves to encourage themselves or playing computer solitaire following the answer to emails. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is done one-on-one, can be very beneficial. It can help frame negative situations in positive ways. Therapists can help people with ADHD recognize 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 strategies to deal with depression and anxiety. People with ADHD are at a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Other psychosocial treatments could include family therapy as well as support groups for groups and classes that focus on communication skills and conflict resolution. For those employed by the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps pay for workplace accommodations for people who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
It's important to remember that not all therapists are the same and you must choose carefully. You should choose one with whom you feel comfortable, who empowers you after the session, and is knowledgeable about the type of therapy that you are interested in. For instance, if your goal is to search for a therapist that uses psychosocial methods consult your psychiatrist to suggest someone. Children psychiatrists, specifically are well-informed of the treatment of ADHD and can refer you to an expert.
Support
People with ADHD may have symptoms that are so disruptive that they need to be evaluated by a doctor. This evaluation involves having a conversation with the patient about their life from childhood to present and how symptoms affect school and work relationships, as well as other aspects of daily life. It is important that people with ADHD openly discuss their issues without fear or resentment.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD for adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These are the guidelines a medical provider will consider when evaluating.
It is important to bring any documents that could provide insight into your condition during your visit to an expert in healthcare. This could include old report cards or notes from family members or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will likely ask about the family history of the patient and personal life, as well as conduct a physical exam as well as some psychological tests.
It is important to remember that inattention or impulsivity doesn't necessarily mean that they lack the ability to perform their job or perform other tasks. A ADHD person, for instance, can be productive and creative in many different ways, such as writing stories, painting, or creating things.
When adults are diagnosed with ADHD and are diagnosed with it, they may experience a range of emotions. They may feel guilt-ridden about previous mistakes or be relieved they now know why they have struggled. "There's plenty of grief work to be done however when all the pieces are in place and people have that clear explanation, they truly begin to take off," Matlen says.
People suffering from ADHD are often misunderstood by coworkers as well as their friends and family. They might have difficulty staying focused during meetings or conversations, and they can be prone to distractions like video games and social media. Some people with ADHD are told they are lazy or over-focused.
Supporting someone with ADHD can assist them to gain control of their symptoms at home as well as at work. They can utilize tools and strategies to improve their organization, including daily planners or apps for smartphones and can also seek out treatment options from a behavioral therapist who is specialized in ADHD. Treatments may include psychotherapy or talk therapy as also accommodations, like tools or changes to the environment of a person that will help them better manage their condition. A possible accommodation is an adjustable stool that helps people who are shorter to reach higher shelves or surfaces.