Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many people, the signs of ADHD persist throughout their lives. As adults, these signs can have significant impacts on work and family.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms must have begun in the early years of your life (technically before the age of 12). The evaluator will review your medical and personal history.
They can also talk to your spouse or your coworkers, friends or partner. This can help them understand your challenges from other perspectives.
Diagnosis
Like children who are diagnosed, adults who have ADHD must meet certain criteria to be considered for diagnosis. The symptoms should have been present for a minimum of 2 years and cause significant difficulties in daily functioning. The problem could be related to school, work or relationships, or even everyday activities. ADHD symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild symptoms are not a problem with everyday functioning and are often misdiagnosed as different conditions such as depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms cause small disruptions in social or work-related interactions. The severity of the symptoms can make it difficult to maintain relationships or hold a job.
ADHD sufferers can reach a tipping-point when they're not able to cope with the demands of daily life. They might become unorganized or make a few erroneous mistakes. They could also be hyperactive and impulsive and have difficulty meeting objectives and responsibilities. They may have difficulty remembering things and often forget the things they've been taught.
Ask for an appointment if you're struggling with your day-to-day life and suspect that you may have ADHD. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist or other professional who can perform an assessment. You may ask a therapist, or family member you know to recommend someone who has experience in ADHD assessments.
A health professional or psychologist will review your medical history and perform an examination. They will also discuss your current concerns with you. They'll also inquire about your experience dealing with ADHD as a child. They'll also want to speak to your partner and any other people who are important in your life such as your parents or spouse. 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 apply for special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. This is an additional step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will also work with you and your GP to help ensure that the medication is effective.
Medication
Adults with ADHD may benefit from taking medication however it's not the only option. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications can also aid. NIMH recommends speaking to your doctor to learn more about the options available to you.
To determine if you have ADHD the doctor who diagnoses ADHD will ask you questions about your childhood as well as your life currently, as well as do a physical examination and psychological test (these aren't typically required). Your evaluator might also ask you to speak to your spouse, family members, or any other close to you to get an alternative view of your behavior.
adult adhd diagnosis of adult ADHD is determined by whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months, and they must interfere with your work and relationships. You must also meet the diagnostic criteria. This includes that your symptoms cannot be caused by a mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
NIMH recommends speaking with your health care provider about your options, including medication and behavioral strategies. A lot of primary care doctors regularly evaluate and treat ADHD in children. Adults who suspect that they might have the disorder should seek a referral to an expert.
Stimulants that are used to treat ADHD in adults can cause negative side effects, such as stomach problems as well as depression, anxiety, and stomach problems. They also can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Some people experience tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements, or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearance. Some people with ADHD have difficulty sleeping when taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends speaking with your health care professional about any concerns you might have about the side effects of medication or about possible clinical trials that might be appropriate for you. Clinical trials are research studies which test new methods to identify, prevent or treat illnesses. Participants in clinical trials gain knowledge about their own health and may have the opportunity to help other people. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and choose the one that is suitable for you.
Therapy
It is crucial that a person with ADHD work with their doctor to manage the symptoms. There are a variety of medication available to treat ADHD. It is possible to try various dosages and medications before you discover the right one for you. A therapist can help you in understanding the health condition and how to deal better with its effects. They can also teach you strategies to improve your attention, self-management, and organization.
Adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often feel like they're always falling behind at school, at work and in their relationships. Their behavior can be a strain on the patience of the most accommodating coworkers, friends and partners. They might be prone to forgetting appointments or missing deadlines and making decisions based on impulsivity that don't always go well.
Therapy can help people with ADHD to become more organized as well as develop coping skills to improve their quality-of-life. They can be taught to recognize and alter their bad habits, such as rewarding themselves to encourage themselves or playing computer solitaire after answering emails. One-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial too and can help to transform negative experiences into positive ones. Therapists can assist adults with ADHD recognize that their impulsivity doesn't suggest a negative character. It's a normal response to high levels in the brain.
A therapist can teach them strategies to deal with depression and anxiety. People with ADHD are more likely to be at risk of depression and anxiety. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy, group support networks and classes that focus on communication skills and conflict resolution. The Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work, which helps pay for workplace accommodations, including ADHD for those who are employed.
Be careful when selecting the right therapy provider. There are many different therapists who are not the same. Find someone who you feel comfortable speaking with, who makes you feel empowered after a session, and who has an expertise in the type of therapy that you're interested in. For instance, if you're looking for a therapist who uses psychosocial methods Ask your doctor to recommend someone. Child psychiatrists are especially adept at ADHD treatment and are able to recommend you.
Support
For those with ADHD, their symptoms may be such that they require to see a physician to be evaluated. This evaluation is a conversation about the person's life, from childhood to the present, and how their symptoms impact school, work relationships, and other aspects of everyday living. It is important that people with ADHD speak up without fear or resentment.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria that a medical provider will review during the evaluation.
It's important to bring along any documents that may shed light on your symptoms when you visit a healthcare professional. This includes old report cards or notes from friends or parents. The person who is conducting the exam will likely also inquire about the individual's life and family history, as well as conduct a physical examination and a few psychological tests.
It is important to keep in mind that just because someone displays inattention and impulsivity does not mean they don't have the appropriate skills for their job or other tasks. An ADHD person, for instance is able to be productive and creative in a variety of ways, such as writing stories, painting, or even designing things.
When adults are diagnosed with ADHD, they can be afflicted with a variety of emotions. They may be resentful of past mistakes or relieved that they understand why they've struggled. "There's plenty of grief work to be done, but when all the pieces are in place and people have that concrete explanation, they really get going," Matlen says.
People suffering from ADHD are often misunderstood by their coworkers, friends, and family. They might have difficulty staying focused during meetings or conversations and they may be prone to distractions like social media and video games. A few people who suffer from ADHD are told they're lazy or attention-seeking.
Helping a loved one who suffers from ADHD can assist them in gaining control over their symptoms at home and at work. They can utilize tools to improve their organization like apps for smartphones or daily planners, and can seek treatments from a behavioral professional who is specialized in ADHD. Treatments may include psychotherapy or talk therapy, as in addition to accommodations, such as tools or changes to the way a person's environment is designed which will assist them to better manage their condition. An accommodation could be a step stool to help those who are smaller to climb higher shelves or reach for higher surfaces.