Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Many people suffer with mild or moderate ADHD. They may be diagnosed when their problems in life are so severe that they interfere with relationships and work.
They might find themselves having difficulty meeting the demands of their work or school and are enduring stress at home and feeling embarrassed for procrastinating or dealing with situations in a poor way. You can consult your primary doctor for recommendations or look on the internet for health professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.
What is the Diagnosis Process?
The process of diagnosis starts with a thorough examination that focuses on the medical history of the patient. This includes the family's history and major life events such as relationships, work or school performance, drug use and driving records. It also includes habits of daily life like diet, sleep, and exercise as along with any supplements or vitamins the person is taking.
Then the provider analyzes 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 least 6 months and are significant enough to cause disruption to school or work. For adults the threshold is lower and five out of nine criteria are needed for a diagnosis.
The next step is typically a physical exam, as certain conditions such as thyroid issues and seizures can trigger signs that resemble ADHD. This gives the healthcare provider more details to pinpoint possible causes and allows them to make the list of "suspects" that they can test with additional tests. These tests may include brain imaging, blood tests and cognitive tests. These tests can take a long time, but they are necessary to ensure that your doctor does not miss any problems that could be the cause of ADHD symptoms.
Once the list is narrowed down, it's time to make a definitive diagnosis. The doctor will go over the results and suggest treatment according to their findings. For many people, getting an diagnosis is a life-changing event. It helps to understand years of unexplained challenges and problems that were often blamed on incompetence or laziness. how is adhd diagnosed in adults can also help individuals to understand their strengths and learn how to make use of their strengths to benefit others. For others, it can lead to a period of grief as they consider the opportunities missed because their ailments were not treated.
If you'd like to be diagnosed with ADHD and want to be diagnosed, it is recommended to seek a specialist evaluation on the NHS, which should include a complete mental health evaluation and an ADHD assessment, along with an appointment with your GP for shared management. It can be more difficult to receive a diagnosis in private however, some GPs will allow an assessment of your ADHD if you are willing to make a payment for a private appointment.
What are the signs?
Adults with ADHD have a tendency to manage their symptoms and enjoy a productive and satisfying life. If their symptoms become more severe, however, they may struggle to find a job or maintain healthy relationships or deal with the pressures of everyday life. Financial problems may also arise due to absences from doctor's appointments, late fees, or impulse purchases. This can lead them to feel like failures and have low self-esteem.
It is important to talk to your doctor if you suspect you might have ADHD as you grow older. They will be able to advise you about treatment options and recommend you to a specialist if needed. Your healthcare professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose you. It is the book that lists the symptoms of mental health conditions.
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 symptoms must have been present in more than one setting and they must have a negative impact with or reduce the quality of your social, school or work-related performance.
Inattention-related symptoms are a lack of attention to tasks, losing details or not following instructions. They may also cause you to lose things like keys, eyeglasses, 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 can also have difficulty following a schedule or staying organized. They may also have difficulty doing their homework and chores. They may also have trouble remembering dates or appointments, and be easily distracted by people or activities.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be motivating because it helps you understand why your difficulties are not your fault. It is then possible to alter your habits and improve the way you manage money, time and tasks. You can also learn strategies to help cope with your symptoms. Your health care professional might recommend lifestyle changes, in addition to medication. This could include a balanced diet, regular exercise and a balanced diet. It's also important to get enough sleep and avoid caffeine, sugar and other stimulants during the hours prior to bedtime.
What is the Treatment Process?
Adults with ADHD often require more than just the right medication to be diagnosed. The people who suffer from this condition also have to change their behavior and lifestyles, and they may need counseling to help them cope with their symptoms.
If an adult goes to an expert in healthcare for an ADHD assessment, he or she should be honest with any issues they're having that could be related to ADHD, such as problems with relationships, issues at work, or trouble in school. They are likely to be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire that asks for details regarding these issues, and they may be given permission to have their family members or close friends complete the same. These answers can be an important source of information on whether a person's problems are caused by ADHD or by other factors, such as stress or physical conditions like depression.
The evaluator also takes into consideration the history of the individual, particularly their childhood experiences and any traumas they may have endured. They may ask the individual to fill out one or more of the standardized behavior rating scales to compare the behaviors of those with and without ADHD. They could also be asked to take psychological tests that examine executive functioning, working memory and visual and spatial skills.
A healthcare professional will recommend an adult suffering from ADHD to a specialist familiar with the disorder. They can find these specialists by asking your primary physician to recommend a specialist or searching the internet for a mental healthcare professional who is familiarized with ADHD. They can also attend an in-person support group for adults with ADHD and meet with other people who have experienced the same thing.
The diagnosis of ADHD can cause a range of emotions for adults, including satisfaction and anger at not being diagnosed earlier. Some people might even feel guilt that they did not strive harder or perform better in their lives, however this feeling can be quelled by acknowledging that their problems are not their own fault and identifying the right treatments to improve their lives.
What is the Support Process?
When a person is diagnosed with ADHD they might experience complicated emotions, such as relief that there is finally an answer to their difficulties, regret over missed opportunities that could have been averted with a more early diagnosis, or frustration that their issues have been largely ignored for so long. However, treatment can help you overcome difficulties and achieve your goals. It's important that you speak to a healthcare professional who has had experience treating adults with ADHD. They can help you set realistic goals, devise effective strategies for improving your day-to-day life, and get family members on the same page.
You can try self-testing or score yourself on online questionnaires, however those tools can't give you an accurate diagnosis. The best way to get an accurate assessment is to consult your primary care physician for an appointment with a specialist, or contact your health insurance company online directory to find an expert who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
You should collect any relevant documentation for your situation once you have found an expert in medical care. These could include performance evaluations from work, copies of previous psychological tests, and old reports from your school. Be prepared to answer any questions regarding your work-related symptoms and at home, your alcohol or drug use as well as your relationships relations with family and friends. You may also need to bring records from other professionals, like a psychiatrist, neurologist, or psychologist.
Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD are usually struggling to function effectively in their professional and personal life and are keen to find out what's going on. They might find that their productivity is declining or their relationships are strained or they may be experiencing ongoing sad moods that don't seem to be explained by other factors.
It can be difficult for some people to receive a diagnosis, because the health professionals have preconceived notions about what ADHD symptoms appear to be. This is especially true for minorities, people born female and non-native English speaking individuals. However, there is increasing awareness of these biases and attempts to combat them.