Adult ADHD Diagnoses - The First Step to Managing Symptoms
The first step in addressing adult ADHD symptoms can be to obtain a diagnosis. These symptoms can be detrimental to relationships and at work. A doctor can examine the mood of a person, their medical history, and the presence of comorbid conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
A formal evaluation involves an interview with the person being evaluated. Family members, friends and colleagues can be questioned to gain an understanding of the person's past.
Symptoms
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience many of the same symptoms as children, however these behaviors can impact more areas of their lives. They may have difficulty keeping their jobs, maintain their relationships, or do well at school, for example. The signs include a lack of focus to their surroundings, fumbling or mumbling answers in a hurry, failing to complete work tasks, and a tendency to miss appointments frequently. This condition can also cause financial issues as people are more likely to make careless mistakes or overspend.
A professional can test adults for ADHD using a variety of methods. They may speak with a person's parents and ask them to talk about their childhood experiences. They can also review their the report cards and take note of comments from teachers. They may also gauge an individual's current functioning by interviewing co-workers, friends and family members. They can also conduct self-tests or online ratings.
Adults are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD if they have had 5 of nine symptoms in the last six months. Symptoms should be present in a variety of contexts and cannot be explained by a mental health disorder like an anxiety or mood disorder or by any other physical issues, such as a hearing loss or a vision issue.
It's normal to feel an array of emotions when you receive an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. It can be a great relief to finally have a concrete explanation for the issues that you've struggled with for a long time. It can also be upsetting to realize you have a mental health condition particularly when you've experienced successes in other areas of your life.
A person who is diagnosed with ADHD is usually treated with medication, psychotherapy or other treatments. In some instances, a doctor will recommend accommodations at work or in daily activities. Accommodations are tools or adjustments to a person's environment that help them succeed and minimize the effects of their impairment. A step stool can be used by someone who is taller than average, or a computer program that can aid those with visual impairments focus on the screen. Adult ADHD is often treated with behavioral therapy.
Diagnosis
The first step to determine whether you suffer from ADHD is to receive an accurate diagnosis. You can begin by asking your primary care physician or a mental health professional for a referral to a specialist who performs ADHD assessments. Your doctor will conduct an interview and go over your personal, family and medical history. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms and how they impact your work, school and at home.
Your doctor will use the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD. The following are some of the DSM-5 criteria for inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD:
Inattention: Having trouble staying focused on tasks and activities for long periods of time. Sometimes, they forget things, or has difficulty completing chores, schoolwork or other tasks. It is prone to making errors at work, school or in leisure activities. Is easily distracted, either by other people or daily activities. The person often daydreams, appears to be on autopilot, or loses track what they are doing.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity: Often restless, fidgets or can't sit still in class or at work. Sometimes interrupts others or speaks in a non-linear manner. Most often, he is bored and seeks excitement or novelty. In most cases, they engage in fights or arguments without considering the consequences.
Often, people with inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive type ADHD have coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities and other mental illnesses. These other conditions can have their own effects on a person, and may make it difficult to diagnose.
A physical exam is conducted to determine if there are medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Certain medical conditions, such as seizures and thyroid disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms.
If your symptoms are extreme If your symptoms are severe, additional neuropsychological, psychological and/or testing for learning disabilities could be utilized to help determine the diagnosis. These tests can provide important information regarding how ADHD affects your relationships and performance. They can also assist in identifying any other issues that require to be addressed.
Treatment
Adults can benefit from the same therapies that children who suffer from ADHD, including treatment, behavioral strategies, life-skills training, and therapy. Adults may need to test different drugs, however, because those used as children may not be the best fit for them at the moment.
A specialist in ADHD should be consulted by the person with ADHD. This may be a primary-care doctor who routinely treats ADHD or an expert in mental health, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Many insurance companies provide online directories of specialists. In addition there is a local support group for those suffering from ADHD or a doctor who specializes in mood disorders might be able to recommend the services of a specialist.
After the examination, the doctor will determine an assessment and prescribe a treatment. They may also want to talk about the past of the person, including how problems affected them in the early years of their life. If the person is having issues with their job or relationships, a therapist could suggest family or couples' therapy to help them develop the skills to deal with their problems better.
Medication is the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These are typically small, fast-acting medications that reduce the chemical imbalance in the brain that triggers ADHD. In many cases, a doctor will also prescribe other medications to treat related conditions like anxiety or depression.
Behavioral therapy can help solve issues with time management and control of impulses, organization and emotional self-regulation. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), along with other specific interventions, can be offered by therapists who have particular expertise in working with people with ADHD.
A few adults suffering from ADHD feel a great relief when they are finally diagnosed. A proper treatment plan can alter their lives drastically. They can become more productive at work, succeed in school, or build more satisfying and healthier relationships. For some, the diagnosis can bring closure to the years of regrets about mistakes they've made in the past due to their symptoms going undiagnosed or treated poorly. click this is possible that an individual's behavior was influenced by gender identity, race and socioeconomic status.
Support
If you were never diagnosed with ADHD as an infant, it's not too late to get an assessment and treatment. Many professionals are trained in ADHD and can tell whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. They can also rule other mental disorders, physical issues and stress as the root cause of symptoms.
A diagnosis of ADHD can trigger complex emotions, including grief over missed opportunities or feelings of relief knowing that you finally have a concrete explanation for your difficulties. Adults with ADHD may feel judged for behavior they aren't responsible for, such as inattention and difficulty organising their work. They may also be facing financial problems, such as late payment deadlines or debt due to impulsive purchases.
It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to engage in self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, inadequate nutrition, constant tension and stress, low self-esteem, or problems with their relationships with family and friends. They also may have trouble with physical well-being and health, for example, ignoring important checkups and medications, or having difficulty following the medical guidelines and procedures. They are having trouble managing their finances and sustaining jobs because they aren't organized, do not meet corporate expectations and cannot follow an established routine or schedule.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from support and therapy groups which teach coping skills and strategies for dealing with their disorder. Specialized ADHD therapists can help adults manage their symptoms, improve their weaknesses and improve their performance in everyday life. They also can work closely with family members, discussing how the disorder affects their relationship, and come up with strategies for supporting the person they love dearly.
Peer support and online communities can also be beneficial. Websites like Sheila Henson and Neuroqueer offer individual and group coaching, workshops and webinars on organizational skills as well as emotional regulation and social interaction. Other online resources include ADHD-friendly restaurants, workplace accommodations, and classes on improving communication.
Certain people with ADHD are also able to join support groups for people with ADHD that can be a source of ideas and inspiration, and provide an opportunity for discussion of issues and finding solutions. There are teachers and coaches that can assist you in developing an action plan to improve your functioning and lessen the impact of your symptoms.