Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, ask your primary care doctor for an appointment. You can also ask for recommendations from family and friends or look online for specialists who are able to conduct ADHD evaluations.
Professionals will ask about your symptoms right now but, based on current guidelines, it is impossible to determine the cause without taking into account your childhood experiences. Your doctor may examine your parents, teachers or other adults who were close to you as a young person.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD do not realize they have it until they reach adulthood. They might not have been diagnosed until they were children and struggle to cope with difficulties at school, at work or at home. A diagnosis and treatment plan could help them get their lives back on the right track.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty focusing, planning or paying attention to details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They might also find that they cannot endure boring tasks and will often shift their attention from one task to the next. This can result in missed events, poor time-management and frequent blunders at school or work.
The signs and symptoms of adult adhd vary for everyone. It is common for them to manifest in the early years of childhood, but can also show up as an adult or in adolescence. The symptoms are required to be present for at least 6 months and create significant difficulties in a variety of settings before they can be identified.
In some cases the doctor may review school report cards to look for comments regarding behavior issues or a inability to work or underachievement compared to your potential. The doctor will also request the person being evaluated to speak with their parents. Adults being evaluated by a doctor for ADHD must be honest and open about their issues. They shouldn't be worried about embarrassing themselves or feeling embarrassed.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often omitted or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males. Their struggles are often concealed by the responsibilities of caring for children or by performing more traditional gender-specific roles. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting important tasks or being unable to remember or being late to complete work, and to making mistakes. They may also be unable to concentration in school or in work. They tend to engage in fidgeting behavior such as tapping their feet or jumping their legs.
Adults with ADHD are still capable of achieving success in both their personal and professional life. They only need to learn how to handle their challenges and take advantage of the help that is available. They can also take advantage of strategies that will help them to succeed, like using a planner or calendar and phone apps that offer reminders.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
The symptoms of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from normal problems that occur in everyday life, such as forgetting appointments or having trouble keeping track of tasks. The difference is crucial since if the disorder is not treated, mistreated or unmanaged, it can lead to serious problems with work and social life which include financial problems and strained relationships.
In general the case, a diagnosis of ADHD must be made by an expert in mental health who has special training and experience in treating the condition. This includes psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, and physicians (such neurologists, psychiatrists or family physicians who specialize in neurology or psychiatry). They also have a deep understanding of co-existing conditions, including depression and anxiety, that are often present with ADHD.
A thorough interview will be conducted to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD. This will include an examination of the patient's medical background, personal and family history. The interview will involve questions about the effects of ADHD symptoms on one's job and relationships. It is essential that the person is honest and not conceal any information.
It's also a good idea to bring up problems that the person might have encountered at work or in their home life since the time of their childhood. In many cases, these can reveal patterns that suggest that the person is suffering from ADHD. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to establish close relationships and switching jobs frequently. Adults with ADHD often have trouble managing their finances and often spend more than they need to.
In certain instances an evaluation for adults with ADHD might include additional tests such as psychological, neuropsychological or tests for learning disabilities to determine the cause of the individual's issues. For instance, a person with ADHD might also have an impairment in learning, like dyscalculia or dyslexia. 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 suffering from ADHD benefit from cognitive behavior therapy and/or psychotherapy. These can help people recognize their own disruptive behavior and thoughts as well as formulate strategies for dealing with them.
Receiving Treatment
As adults, many with ADHD have the same issues that they had in their childhood: difficulties with relationships and work, difficulties in completing their schoolwork or finding work. These problems often result in a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. For many, the first step is to talk to a primary care physician. He or she could refer you to a mental health professional who has experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination to determine if you have ADHD, or some other condition that causes symptoms that resemble ADHD. They will interview you, look over your behavior and history of your medical and family history, and utilize the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also check your physical health including your heartbeat and blood pressure. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include stress, depression, anxiety and certain medications as well as the use of drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the disorder. They've learned to hide their symptoms and to compensate for them, but they can still suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Women are often more adept than men at concealing their symptoms. They may be accustomed to being branded an inept, lazy or troublemaker.
During an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will examine your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The doctor may also interview your family and friends as well as your colleagues at work. He or she will use different tools, such as old report cards, to document childhood ADHD symptoms.
Treatment options for adults with ADHD include pharmacological and behavioral treatments (medication). The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication that assists in balancing brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine as well as the non-stimulant Atomoxetine.
Certain behavioral therapies may also be helpful with cognitive behavioral therapy and education on ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes like setting routines and keeping journals or a planner. Counseling for families and marriage, or a life-coach who can help with time management and organization skills, can be beneficial for many. Certain people with ADHD can also benefit from a variety of accommodations at school or work like extended deadlines and flex time, which can make it easier to meet performance goals and achieve success.
Finding Support
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It could be the first step towards finally managing the symptoms that have been in your life for many years. Adult ADHD symptoms include difficulty staying on top of school or work obligations as well as losing personal items or appointments, spending money impulsively or not following medical guidelines 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 significant difference in the way you manage your symptoms.
In the past, many people suffering from ADHD went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They may have had difficulty finding a job that suited their needs, failed in their academic pursuits and had trouble finding long-term relationships. They may be filled with regrets for missed opportunities and lost moments.
A comprehensive interview with a mental health professional is usually required to diagnose adult ADHD. If possible, family members are also present during the interview. In addition, the person is required to complete questionnaires and scales, and to discuss 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.
Based on the symptoms of a person and the results of psychological tests depending on the person's symptoms, additional or neuropsychological testing could be necessary. This test can provide more information about the ways the individual's ADHD impacts their lives and also help determine if there are any co-existing disorders that require treatment.
Adult ADHD is treated by psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and educational programs, and occasionally medication. Read Home assists people to understand and manage their ADHD and build the skills needed to deal with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may be beneficial to those with ADHD who have difficulty maintaining relationships.
The first step to find the right counselor is to ask for an appointment from your physician or an expert. 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.