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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to make the diagnosis. This involves examining school records as well as questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers. Most people suffering from ADHD have symptoms from childhood, and it is not unusual to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder. Diagnosis Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If diagnosis adhd GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD, they may refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment. Typically an expert in mental health will employ an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the condition, according to Adler. Then, he will talk to you about your symptoms and review your family history and medical history to make sure that there are no other conditions not causing your ADHD-like symptoms. Because people with ADHD are more likely to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD. It is essential to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Many people suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing event as they realize why they struggled in school and never seemed to reach their potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others, and they can experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated. Treatment To receive treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video conference. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to make a diagnosis. The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12. They may also want to interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their experiences. A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with more care, as these conditions often are in synergy. If a professional believes that you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants. Counseling is also an essential component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger and failure that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger as well as improve your time management and organization abilities. If you have a mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can search ADDitude or visit your local mental health service to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD. Medication A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you are struggling to realize your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or experience difficulties completing your tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you require. The first step in treating ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning. Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. “Getting diagnosed can help them understand the root of their issues. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa states. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. In many instances these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD and are often difficult to manage. Consult your physician about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions. Counseling Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life. Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Others might have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled as they grew older as their family and work responsibilities increased. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation at college due to inability to learn for tests. Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your home or work life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosing by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws. Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they might conduct a series of tests to test your memory and attention. After receiving an assessment, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different methods before they discover the one that works best for them. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed.