Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask your primary care physician for a referral if you think you might have ADHD. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or search online to find professionals who are qualified to evaluate ADHD.
A medical professional will ask questions regarding your current symptoms, but according to current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be made without considering your past history. Your doctor might ask you to speak to your teachers, parents or any other adult who knew you when you were when you were a child.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD do not realize they have it until later in life. They might not be diagnosed until they are children and are struggling to deal with problems in school, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan could assist them in getting their lives back on track.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble focus, planning, or paying attention to detail. They are more likely to act on impulse, and are easily distracted. They might also find that they can't sit through boring activities and tend to shift their attention from one task to the next. This can result in missing important events as well as poor time management and frequent missteps at work or in school.
The signs of adhd in adulthood differ for each individual. The signs of adult adhd are different for everyone. They usually appear in childhood but can also be recognized as adult or an adolescent. The symptoms should be present for at least 6 months and cause significant difficulty in multiple settings to be diagnosed.
A doctor may examine your school report card to see whether there are any remarks about your behavior or lack of effort. The doctor may also ask that the person being evaluated discuss the situation with their parents. Adults who are being assessed by a doctor for ADHD should be honest and open about their issues. They shouldn't hide their feelings because of fear of embarrassment or shame.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often ignored or misdiagnosed as their symptoms are less apparent than those of men. The challenges faced by women with ADHD can be hidden because they are responsible for caring for children or in roles that are gender-specific. Women with ADHD tend to be distracted by important tasks or being absentminded or being late in completing work, and to make mistakes. They may also lack concentration at school or in work. They are also more likely to display fidgeting behavior such as bouncing the foot or tapping it.
Adults suffering from ADHD are still capable of being successful in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to handle their challenges and make use of the help they can get. They can also make use of strategies that will help them to achieve success, such as using a planner or calendar and mobile apps that provide reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
It is often difficult to discern the difference between adult ADHD and other daily difficulties, such as forgetting tasks or appointments. But the distinction is significant because, if left untreated, neglected or treated poorly the disorder may cause serious work and social problems which include financial issues and troubled relationships.
A mental health professional who has specific training and experience in treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and doctors (such neurologists, psychiatrists or family physicians who specialize in psychiatry or neurology). Professionals who are certified are also acquainted with co-existing disorders that typically occur alongside ADHD like anxiety and depression.
A thorough interview will be conducted to determine if a patient has ADHD. This will involve a thorough review of the patient's medical background, personal and family background. The interview will ask questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's work and relationships. It is essential to be honest and not hide any information.
It's also a good idea to bring up problems that the person might have encountered at workplace or in their daily life since childhood. www.iampsychiatry.com are often signs that suggest ADHD. For instance, many people with ADHD shift jobs frequently and have trouble forming close relationships. Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their finances and often spend more than they need to.
In some cases an assessment of adult ADHD might include additional tests, like neuropsychological or psychological tests, to rule out any other possible causes for the issue. For example, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from 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 methods and lifestyle adjustments Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and/or psychotherapy. These therapies can help people recognize their own disruptive thoughts and behaviors and help them develop strategies to deal with them.
Finding Treatment
As adults, many with ADHD have the same issues that they had in childhood: trouble with relationships and work, difficulties getting through school or finding work. Often these problems result in medical referrals for a diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many people is to talk to their primary healthcare provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional who has experience diagnosing adult ADHD.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination to determine if you suffer from ADHD, or some other disorder that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. The doctor will ask you questions, go over your behavior and history, ask about your family and medical history, and employ psychiatric scales and questionnaires. The doctor will also look at your physical health, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms include depression, anxiety and stress, as well as certain medications and addiction to substances.
Adults with ADHD often have a harder than others to acknowledge that they suffer from the disorder. They might have learned to conceal their symptoms or make excuses for them, but they still have low self-esteem and confidence. Many women are better than men in hiding their symptoms, and may have gotten used to being branded an inept, lazy or troublemaker.
During an ADHD assessment, your physician will examine your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will interview you, and your family and work colleagues. He or she could use old report cards to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication that aids in the balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These include stimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine, as well nonstimulants.
Certain behavioral treatments can help as well like cognitive behavior therapy and education about ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD might benefit from lifestyle changes like using a planner or journal and setting up regular routines. Family and marriage counseling, or a life-coach who can help with time-management and organizational skills, are effective for others. Some people with ADHD can also benefit from accommodating arrangements in the workplace or school. These include extended deadlines and flexible schedules.
Finding Support
Being diagnosed with ADHD is stressful. It can also be the first step in finally gaining control over symptoms that may have been affecting your life for a number of years. Symptoms of adult ADHD can include trouble keeping up with school or work obligations, losing important personal items, avoiding appointments, impulsively spending money, failing to follow instructions from your doctor and many more. These problems can cause chronic stress, low confidence and feelings of inadequate. Following the most effective methods and having a strong support network can make a huge impact on how you deal with your symptoms.
In the past, a lot of people with ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have struggled to find an occupation that was suitable for their needs, failed in their academic endeavors, and had difficulty finding long-term relationships. They could have many regrets over wasted opportunities and time.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD typically involves a thorough interview with a mental health professional including family members should it be possible. The person will also be asked to complete scales and questionnaires as well as discuss their past experiences. 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 a person's symptoms and psychological testing depending on the person's symptoms, additional or neuropsychological testing could be necessary. The tests can provide more information on how ADHD affects the individual and help determine if there are any co-existing conditions.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD generally include psychological counseling (psychotherapy), education and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy assists people to understand and manage their ADHD and improve their ability to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marriage counseling can also be beneficial for people who suffer from ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step in finding an experienced counselor is to seek a referral from your doctor or a specialist. You can also contact a local psychology graduate college or university hospital to get recommendations. Select a psychologist who you are comfortable with and who has experience working with adults.