Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, ask your primary physician for an appointment. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and family or search the internet for professionals qualified to conduct ADHD evaluations.
Professionals will inquire about your symptoms today however, according to current guidelines, it is impossible to diagnose without considering your childhood experiences. Your doctor might examine your parents, teachers or other adults who were familiar with you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD don't realize they have the condition until they reach adulthood. They might have missed the diagnosis when they were children and then struggle to cope with problems at work, at home and school. A diagnosis and treatment plan could help them get their lives back on the right track.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble staying focused, planning or paying attention to detail. They are more prone to act on impulse and can easily be distracted. They may also find it difficult to focus on tasks that bore them and frequently shift their attention from one task to another. This can result in missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent missteps at school or at work.
diagnose adhd of adult adhd are different for each person. They tend to appear in the early years, but can also show up as adolescence or adulthood. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and create significant difficulties in a variety of settings before they can be identified.
A doctor may examine your school report card to see whether there are any comments regarding your conduct or lack of effort. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to talk with their parents. Adults being evaluated by a clinician for ADHD should be honest and forthcoming about their problems. They shouldn't be shy out of fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of men. Their struggles are often concealed by the responsibilities of caring for children or being in gender-specific roles. Symptoms of ADHD for women include being unable to focus on important tasks, being slow to finish work on time, making frequent mistakes and lacking focus at work or at school. They tend to be fidgety like tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults suffering from ADHD can still achieve success in their personal and professional lives. They just need to learn how to deal with their issues and take advantage of the support they can get. They can also implement strategies to aid them in their success, such as an organizer or a calendar, and phone apps with reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The signs of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from normal difficulties that arise in daily life, like forgetting appointments or having trouble keeping track of tasks. The distinction is crucial since if the disorder is not treated, treated poorly or not properly managed, it could result in serious social and work problems which include financial problems and strained relationships.
In the majority of cases, a diagnosis of ADHD should be determined by a mental health professional who has special expertise and training in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or doctors (such as neurologists, psychiatrists or family physicians) who specialize in psychiatry or neurology. Professionals with qualifications also know how to deal with co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which are frequently associated with ADHD.
A test to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD will require a thorough interview to review the patient's medical, personal and family history. The interview will also include questions about how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their work and relationships. It is important for the person to be honest and not hide any details.
It's also a great idea to bring up issues that the person may have faced at work or in their home life prior to the time of their childhood. In many cases, these can reveal patterns that indicate that the person is suffering from ADHD. For instance, many people with ADHD change jobs frequently and have difficulty developing close relationships. Additionally, it's typical for adults with ADHD to have issues with managing money and spending more than they ought to.
In certain instances an evaluation for adults with ADHD may include additional testing such as psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities to rule out other causes of the person's problems. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD might also have a learning disability such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.
In addition to treatment techniques and lifestyle changes Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors, as well create coping strategies to manage their behavior.
Seek Treatment
As adults, many who have ADHD remain afflicted by the same issues they faced in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, difficulties getting through school or finding work. Often these problems result in medical referrals for diagnosis and treatment. For many, the first step is to speak with a primary care doctor. He or she could refer you to a mental health specialist who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD or another condition that causes symptoms that resemble ADHD. The doctor will interview you, review your behavior and past history, ask about family and medical history, and use the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health including your heartbeat and blood pressure. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms are depression, anxiety, stress, certain medications and the use of drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a hard to recognize that they suffer from the disorder. They may have learned to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them, but they still suffer from low self-confidence and self-esteem. Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, and may be used to being labeled as a slacker, goofy or troublemaker.
In an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will look at your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also conduct interviews with your family and friends and colleagues at work. He or she may make use of old report cards to note childhood ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD can be treated using both pharmaceutical and behavioral (behavioral) treatments. The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication that helps balance brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These include stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate, and atomoxetine, as well non-stimulants.
Some behavioral treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD can also aid. Some people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle modifications, such as setting regular routines and using a planner or journal. Others find success through marriage and family counseling or a life coach who can assist with time management and organization skills. Certain people with ADHD can also benefit from a variety of accommodations at school or at work, such as extended deadlines and flex time, which makes it easier to achieve the goals of performance and be successful.
Finding Support
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience. It could be the first step towards getting control of the symptoms that have been in your life for many years. Symptoms of adult ADHD could include having trouble managing school or work obligations, loosing important personal belongings, not making appointments, impulsively spending money, failing to follow instructions from your doctor and many more. These issues can lead to chronic stress, low confidence and feelings of inadequacy. Having a good support system and adhering to the best methods can make all the difference in the way you deal with your issues.
In the past, many people with ADHD were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job they liked, failed in their educational efforts, and struggled to establish long-term relationships. They may have a lot of regrets about missed opportunities and lost time.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is typically required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible family members can also be invited to the interview. In addition, the patient will be asked to fill out scales and questionnaires, as well as to talk about their history. In order to be diagnosed, the person must have experienced at least five symptoms of inattention and/or five symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity before age 12.
Depending on the individual and their symptoms, additional psychological or neuropsychological testing may be required. The tests can provide more details on how ADHD affects the individual and can help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Adult ADHD is treated through psychological counseling (psychotherapy), educational programs, and sometimes medication. Psychotherapy assists people to recognize and manage their ADHD and develop skills to manage it. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may also be helpful for individuals with ADHD who are having difficulty maintaining relationships.
Asking your doctor or specialist for a recommendation is the first step in finding a qualified counselor. You can also contact an area hospital affiliated with a university or graduate school in psychology to receive recommendations. Select a psychologist you feel comfortable with and who has experience in treating adults.