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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD See NIMH for suggestions on talking to your health care provider regarding the disorder Diagnosis It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life The first step is to speak with your GP or consult a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD If your GP isnt familiar with ADHD he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment A mental health professional would typically employ a sixquestion ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition The doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to confirm that other conditions arent contributing to them People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details They have a difficult time following directions in class or at work They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities like tools wallets keys and wallets They may also have trouble staying focused when listening to long speeches Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting talking or texting too much or squirming in the seat It is important to rule other conditions out when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD This includes depression anxiety and bipolar disorder Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD In the DSM5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a persons symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD Adult ADHD is classified as mild moderate or severe Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood because its not readily apparent A diagnosis can change the course of a persons life as they can now see why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and may experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated Treatment The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a medical professional for an assessment This can be done in person or via video chat 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 within the family This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD These conditions must be ruled out to make a diagnosis The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms affect your life They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 They may also want to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medications or other treatments This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions including sleep apnea thyroid problems and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD Adults with an history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be coexisting with ADHD If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug The type of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they affect your life Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse negative effects Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications including overthecounter drugs and supplements as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD It can help you learn to manage your anger as well as improve your time management and organization skills If you have a mental illness it is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however you may prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist These professionals are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitudes directory of professionals to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD Medication A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life If youre struggling to achieve your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships or have difficulty completing tasks at home an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need The first step in treating ADHD for adults is thorough medical history including your symptoms The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the requirements for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM5 which is published by the American Psychiatric Association To be diagnosed with ADHD you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivityimpulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social academic or professional functioning Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders like anxiety and depression how is adhd diagnosed in adults can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD Jaksa says Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can lead to feelings of low selfesteem he adds Getting diagnosed can help them understand the reasons behind their struggles This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and enable them to focus on areas where they excel Jaksa states Adults with ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy Stimulants increase concentration decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage Talk to your doctor about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent diagnose or treat conditions and diseases Counseling If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause a variety of problems in all areas of your life The effects of procrastination among others can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health The first step in reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didnt receive a diagnosis as children because their family and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that werent recognized Some may have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood but struggled as they grew older as their family and work obligations increased To be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life Impaired can be losing your job due to a deficit in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation in college because youre unable to concentrate on your tests Women tend to be better at avoiding their symptoms than men which could make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis However if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life being forthright about them with your doctor can speed up the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12 They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at this time and may also conduct a series of tests to test your memory and attention After you are given a diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and nonmedication therapies to manage your symptoms The majority of people will test a few different treatments before they find the best one Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed
