Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a crucial first step to manage the issues that can cause chaos at work, at home and in relationships. It's also a great opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on problems that have been frustrating and confusing throughout the years.
During the process of evaluation, mental health professionals use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to help determine if an adult is meeting diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and significant others to gain additional insights.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
If you have been having issues at work or in your relationships and think ADHD is the cause the first step towards getting a diagnosis and treatment is talking to your health care provider. Your doctor can help you make sense of your symptoms and recommend an expert if needed.
You can also ask your family members, friends and colleagues to suggest professionals who are skilled in ADHD assessments of adults. Your insurance company may also be able to provide information on the professionals in your region. Another option is to join an ADHD support group to chat with others who face the same challenges and learn about how they deal with these challenges.
Many adults seek a diagnosis when their symptoms hinder their daily performance at home or at work. They are frustrated with losing keys and being late for meetings, and trying to maintain healthy relationships. Finding a diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain the control you require to manage these issues and restore balance to your life.
If you're discussing your symptoms with your doctor, be honest. Do not be shy because you don't want to be seen as a weak or unreliable person. Your doctor should be aware of your issues and how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor recommends medication be ready to discuss your opinion on it. Some adults don't like to take medication and prefer alternative treatments including psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes that are referred to as accommodations. Accommodations enable people who suffer from ADHD to achieve their goals, much like a step stool allows people who are shorter to reach the same height as other people.
Your doctor will inquire about your history with ADHD. It is recommended to remember details from your childhood, because this is the time when the disorder is most likely show up. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on where you live. But, these things don't necessarily mean that you have a diagnose.
2. Request a Referral
If you are concerned about how your behavior is negatively impacting your work, school or your relationships, your family doctor may suggest an ADHD assessment and treatment. They might also be able to give you referrals for other specialists, like psychologists and psychiatrists who specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
If you see a doctor for an evaluation, be sure to be honest and honestly about the issues you are having such as those related to ADHD. It is crucial not to hide information because of feelings of shame or fear that you could be scrutinized. Your past experiences will determine the quality of your assessment as well as the effectiveness of any treatment suggestions.
The examiner will want to review your social, emotional and academic background as well as discuss how these problems are affecting you right now. The examiner will also go over the diagnostic guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you about your current symptoms and any you might have experienced in the past. They will interview you and as much as possible talk to people who knew you before you were a child.
They will determine if your symptoms are more likely to be explained by another mental health or medical problem, like depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or a learning impairment.
If a medical professional doesn't think you are suffering from ADHD then they will inform you what other conditions or problems might be causing your difficulties and the reason they don't believe you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean that you have to accept this diagnosis. However it can be helpful in planning future care.
In most instances, a person who is diagnosed with adult ADHD will receive help from other people suffering from ADHD and their families as well as friends, co-workers teachers, coaches and trainers. They may also benefit by attending classes that teach relationships or marriage and couples counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for those with ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can also teach them how to improve their communication skills.
3. Request a Consultation
ADHD is caused either by a lack or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can impact a person's concentration and ability to finish tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD may have difficulty in their careers, relationships and in many other aspects of their lives. If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD talk to your doctor or seek a recommendation to see an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
A mental health professional will evaluate whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms using a scale of rating. A mental health professional might also interview important people in your life such as your spouse and complete the checklist of symptoms. A thorough evaluation may include psychological tests that measure working memory and executive function (the capacities involved in making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability, and reasoning skills. The results can be used to rule out any conditions that may cause similar symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
During an assessment the health care professional will also consider how you've managed your symptoms over time. If you tend to forget appointments, make decisions impulsively and fail to meet deadlines, your doctor may suggest classes or therapy to assist you in learning better ways of dealing with these challenges. Your doctor may recommend medication, too. These drugs are commonly used to treat adults with ADHD, and they are highly efficient. They don't work on all people and may have negative side effects. Nonstimulant medications that don't have the potential for abuse are available now and can be as effective as stimulants.
While receiving a diagnosis and treatment are important for people suffering from ADHD, it's also helpful to make others aware of the condition. Many people with ADHD have difficulty getting their spouses, their parents, and their colleagues to accept their behavior. Educating others can improve relationships and increase support systems. There are ADHD support groups in a variety of communities and online.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be difficult but it's doable. Begin by speaking to your GP, who can guide you to the most appropriate service for your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It may take a while to get an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. Ask for a referral from your primary care physician, however, if your GP is reluctant or doesn't agree to refer you to other health professionals. You can contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to determine who is specialized in your area in adult ADHD. Also, you can check with professional groups that support adults with ADHD.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy conversation regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will review your medical family, personal, and medical background, as well as any current problems. They'll also want to know how the symptoms affect your relationships, finances or work performance. They could use standardized rating scales to compare your behavior with that of people who don't have ADHD. These ratings can help determine if your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they are more likely to be explained by other disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator may also order cognitive tests in order to determine if you have intellectual or learning disabilities that could explain your difficulties at school or work. Some evaluators also screen for other conditions that could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators may order additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, like blood work and brain imaging to rule out any other health issues. They may request you to complete a questionnaire aimed at identifying specific symptoms such as difficulty planning and organizing, or being overly energetic and indecisive. They might also inquire from a family member about your childhood to find out whether there are any signs that indicate you have ADHD.
It is essential to be honest during the interview. adhd diagnosis adults uk feel embarrassed having a diagnosis and they might hold back information because they think it will make them appear poor. It is essential that the person evaluating you receives accurate information about your issues in the areas of the control of your impulses, organizational skills and interpersonal relationships.