• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

Most people with ADHD live with symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.

A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss important details. They have a difficult time following directions in class or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Stress and physical issues like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider how severe a person's symptoms are when diagnosing the disorder. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident in childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing revelation as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems and may also be resentful over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. This can be done either in person or by video call. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of mental and physical ailments that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be eliminated in order to make a diagnosis.

The professional will ask you about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms affect your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also interview those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression need to be evaluated and treated with greater care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.

If a doctor believes you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how to Diagnosis Adhd In adults they affect your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they are not suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or cause uncomfortable side effects. Your doctor will want to know if you use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an important aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizing abilities.

If you suffer from mental illness it is essential to locate a healthcare professional who specializes in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see a specialist therapist or psychologist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face as well as having experience working with other clients. You can check with your local mental health service or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has struggled with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've struggled to reach your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been searching for.

The first step to treat ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for adhd adults diagnosis 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 can diagnose add in adults suffer from untreated ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over inadequate performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem he adds. "Getting an evaluation will help them get a better understanding of the root of their struggles which can help reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them concentrate more on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

The best treatment for adults with ADHD is typically a combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. In many instances they can improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of possible negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage.

Talk to your health care provider about whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medications. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.

Counseling

If you have untreated ADHD it could cause various problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the condition or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased.

In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to study for tests.

Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life, being forthright about them with your doctor can accelerate the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you at this time period. They may also perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.

After receiving an assessment, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that works for them. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment plan as needed.