ADHD Adults Diagnosis 10 Things I'd Like To Have Known Earlier
Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step to manage the issues that can cause chaos at work, home and in relationships. It's also a great opportunity to gain a new perspective on issues that have been frustrating and confusing throughout the years.
During the evaluation process mental health professionals utilize the standardized behavior rating scales as well as ADHD symptom checklists to help determine if an adult is meeting diagnostic criteria. They may also speak with family members and significant others to gain additional insight.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
If you have been having issues at work or in your relationships and believe that ADHD is the cause the first step towards finding a treatment and diagnosis is talking to your health healthcare provider. Your doctor will help you understand your symptoms and may refer you to a specialist if needed.
You can also ask your family, friends and co-workers to recommend professionals who are experts in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also inquire from your insurance company about professionals in your area. Attending an ADHD support group is another option. You can speak to people who have the same challenges, and learn from them how they handle them.
Many adults choose to seek treatment because they're unhappy with how their symptoms hinder their everyday functioning, whether at work or in their personal lives. They are frustrated with losing keys and being late for meetings, and struggling to maintain healthy relationships. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD will give you the control you require over these symptoms and restore the balance in your life.
Be honest when you speak to your doctor about your symptoms. Do not be shy because you don't want to be viewed as a weak or unreliable person. Your doctor requires a complete picture of your difficulties, including how they have affected your work performance as well as your personal life.
Be prepared to speak up regarding medication when your doctor suggests it. Some adults aren't keen to take medication and prefer alternative methods of treatment including psychotherapy (the medical term for mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes known as accommodations. Like a step stool helps someone who is small reach the same heights as others, accommodations enable those who suffer from ADHD to achieve their goals and achieve.
Your doctor will inquire about your experience with ADHD. It is recommended to remember details from your childhood, since this is when the disorder is likely be evident. Depending on the location you live in you may have to obtain copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who knew you in your youth, but remember that these don't necessarily confirm a diagnosis.
2. Ask for a Referral
If you are concerned about how your behavior impacting your school, work or your relationships, your family physician might suggest an ADHD assessment and treatment. They can also refer you to other specialists who deal with adults suffering from ADHD, such as psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you're visiting a specialist to get an assessment, be sure you are open and honest about the issues you are facing. This is especially true for any ADHD-related issues. It is crucial to not cover up information out of fear of being criticized. The quality of your evaluation and the efficacy of any treatment recommended will be largely determined by how precise your past history is.
The examiner will want to review your social, emotional and academic background and examine how these issues affect you today. They will also review the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, which are found in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They will ask you about your current symptoms and any that you may have had in the past. They will interview you and if possible, also speak with those who were with you as a child.
In addition to determining if you meet the criteria for ADHD, they will consider whether your symptoms might be explained better by a different mental health condition or medical issue, such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or learning disability.
If a medical professional doesn't think you are suffering from ADHD, they will tell you the other conditions or issues that might be causing your issues and the reason they don't think you have ADHD. This doesn't mean that you have to accept the diagnosis, but it could help you plan your future treatment.
In many instances adults who are diagnosed with ADHD will receive assistance not just from other adults suffering from ADHD as well as their family members, friends, teachers, coworkers and coaches. They could also benefit from attending classes that teach communication or marriage and couples counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can also teach them how to improve their communication skills.
3. Request a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a shortage or imbalance in neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can impact a person's focus and ability to finish tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD can struggle in their work, relationships and many other areas of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD consult your health care provider or ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specialized in mental health.
A mental health professional will determine whether you have ADHD symptoms using a rating scale. A mental health professional might also interview people important to your life, such as your spouse, and then complete an inventory of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological testing that measures working memory and executive functioning (the capabilities that are involved in making decisions and planning) as well as spatial and visual capabilities and reasoning skills. The results can aid in determining other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
During the examination the healthcare professional will also take into account how you've dealt with your symptoms over the course of time. If you tend to forget appointments, make impulsive decisions and fail to meet deadlines, your doctor may recommend therapy or classes in order to assist you in learning more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your doctor could also suggest medication. Stimulant drugs are most commonly employed to treat people suffering from ADHD, and they are extremely effective. They don't work on everyone, and may cause negative side consequences. Nonstimulant medications that don't have the potential to be abused are available now and can be just as effective as stimulants.
It is essential to educate others on ADHD. While people who suffer from ADHD need to be diagnosed and be treated in order to improve their lives, it's also helpful for them to educate their spouses, parents and colleagues. Many people suffering from ADHD have a difficult time getting their spouses, parents, and their colleagues to accept their behavior. The ability to educate others can improve relationships and boost support systems. There are also adhd diagnoses on the internet and in a variety of communities.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a challenge however it is possible. Begin by talking to your GP who will be able to recommend the best service for your needs.
4. Schedule for an Evaluation
It can take a while to complete a thorough examination and a diagnosis. If your GP is unable or is not willing to refer you to a health professional, then ask for an appointment. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to determine who in your area specializes in adult ADHD. Or, you should contact professional associations that help adults with ADHD.
After you've been referred an evaluator be prepared for a lengthy and detailed interview about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will go over your medical, personal and family history, as in addition to the issues you're currently experiencing. They'll probably want to know how the symptoms have impacted your relationships as well as your work performance and finances. They may employ standard rating scales that measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help determine whether your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they're more likely to be explained by other disorders, like depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator might also request cognitive tests to identify learning or intellectual disabilities which could cause your problems in school or at work. Some evaluators test for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD, such thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will request additional physical examinations or lab tests, such as brain imaging and blood work to rule out other health issues. They might require you to complete an assessment that focuses on specific signs, such as problems with planning and organizing or being too active and indecisive. They could also interview your family members or friends about your childhood, looking for clues that you have ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed by asking for a diagnosis, and they might hold back information because they think it will make them look poor. It is essential that the person evaluating you gets accurate information about your struggles in terms of organization skills, impulse control, and relationships.
