ADHD in Adults - Characterisation, Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step to seeking treatment for ADHD is to find a health professional who will evaluate you. They will inquire about your symptoms, your family history, as well as other factors such as stress and school or work problems.
Your symptoms will be assessed using checklists and behavior rating scales. They may also do psycho-, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities.
Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating, staying focused and organizing their tasks. People with ADHD tend to avoid tasks that require a lot attention and tend to procrastinate. This can make it difficult to keep track of daily activities like doing chores, paying bills or planning future events. It is also typical for people with ADHD to be easily frustrated and have trouble regulating their emotions. This can lead to mood swings and problems with relationships.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD you must first talk to your primary care physician. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or any other mental health professional to conduct an evaluation. During the examination, they will ask about your symptoms and how they affect you at home, school or at work. They will also check to see if you have any other mental health conditions and consider your family or whanau history.
Your doctor will assess your symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that could cause similar problems. They will then suggest a treatment plan, which is likely to include medication. You will need to talk with your psychiatrist about whether medication could help reduce the severity of ADHD symptoms. Your psychiatrist will also be able to pass your prescription to your GP, so that they can monitor your progress or prescribe any changes to the medication.
If you have been prescribed medication for ADHD, you need to visit your psychiatrist regularly in order to ensure that you're following the right treatment plan. It is recommended that you be examined within 30 days of beginning treatment and continue to see them monthly until your symptoms improve and your functioning improves.
People who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from job losses and transfers drop in academic performance or drop outs, poor financial stability as well as strained relationships and addictions. With the right care, people with ADHD can live happy lives, with satisfying relationships and careers. The right treatment program is essential to your success. It is essential to discuss your issues and symptoms with your physician and with your coworkers and teachers.
Medicines
Someone who suffers from ADHD will likely be treated with a mix of psychotherapy and drugs. The right medication can help reduce symptoms that interfere in an adult's quality of life and limit his ability to reach his full potential. Talk therapy helps people find more effective ways to manage their symptoms.
The first step in evaluating ADHD is for the individual to talk with their primary doctor or mental health specialist. They can recommend specialists in the area. A local ADHD group for a professional suggestion is a great idea. A lot of insurance companies have a list of professionals by specialization. They can also help you locate a professional who can perform an assessment.
A thorough assessment includes a description of symptoms, a review medical and psychiatric records, and a comprehensive patient interview. The examiner may employ behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists and will seek feedback from family members or friends. Additional testing is sometimes used to determine if a person has ADHD for instance, cognitive or neuropsychological tests.
It's important to rule out any other medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD symptoms before making a definitive diagnosis. These include learning disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, head injuries thyroid problems, and the taking certain medications, such as steroids. The evaluator carefully considers these possible explanations for the patient's symptoms, before making an assessment.
The medications used to treat ADHD for adults include stimulants as well as non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs. They can help people focus and pay attention. They can help improve school and work performance. They also help reduce depression and anxiety. The effectiveness of stimulants will vary from person to individual and it can take time to reach the desired level.
Nonstimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD in adults. They are generally less expensive and have fewer side effects than stimulants. However, they're not as efficient as stimulants and could cause an "crash" effect in certain people. They can also interact with other medications and affect some medical conditions.
Treatments
The main treatment options for ADHD in adults is medication and psychotherapy. The use of medication helps people focus better and less impulsive which can improve their quality of life. Psychotherapy assists people in developing strategies for coping and manage their problems. It may also include family therapy and techniques for managing behavior that include reward systems. Researchers are investigating new ways to treat ADHD. They may employ brain imaging or other measures to determine how the brain works in problems.
People with ADHD typically experience a variety of symptoms as they age. For example, inattentive symptoms become more pronounced in adulthood, while hyperactive-impulsive symptoms may decrease or disappear entirely. Many people suffering from ADHD will be afflicted with the same problems for their entire life.
A healthcare professional will need to collect information on the person's school and childhood experiences to determine if they suffer from ADHD. They typically ask the patient to rate their own and other people's behavior using scales that are standardized or ADHD symptom checklists. They will also perform an examination to rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example, thyroid disorders or seizures.
The health professional will then suggest treatment options based on results of the evaluation. If the symptoms are mild, he or she will likely prescribe stimulants. These medications are designed to help people focus better and be less impatient and improve their ability to function in the workplace as well as at home and in their relationships. People with moderate to severe symptoms may be prescribed a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
If they have a parent with ADHD, or if they have other birth defects, such as the birth weight being low or head trauma, they are more likely to get diagnosed. adhd in adults treatment are more likely to be identified when they are male. Researchers don't know what makes some people more likely to have ADHD than others. It could be due to an element of genetics or the condition may be caused by environmental factors. People who are smokers, drink excessively or have food allergies are also at a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD.
Support
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD struggle to manage daily tasks, such as getting up and out of bed, preparing for work, and arriving at their appointments on time. Some adults with undiagnosed ADHD may also have difficulty managing their relationships with others, or keeping up with family and work responsibilities. Certain people may benefit from long-term treatment with stimulant medication and psychotherapy.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is often an emotional experience. People with the disorder frequently feel relief at knowing that they are not 'lazy', 'unwilling', or'messy' and that their difficulties are caused by an underlying disorder. They may also feel angered or disappointed that they weren't diagnosed and treated sooner.
There are numerous organizations and services that can help individuals with the condition, such as coaching, psychotherapy self-help tools, peer support groups, and online learning. People whose symptoms cause problems at work may qualify for assistance under the disability components of the employment act or Access to Work, depending on their specific situation.
The NIMH website provides an extensive list of organizations and resources for adults who have ADHD. Some of these organizations offer free or low cost psychotherapy to people with ADHD. Others provide education and help with strategies to manage the condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other talk therapies can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD. It involves identifying and resolving unhelpful thinking patterns and devising strategies to improve attention and impulse control. It is best to work with an expert in mental health who has been trained in this field. People should seek out a professional who has worked with people with ADHD before or is willing and able to learn.
In the UK, the NHS offers information on treatments for ADHD on its website. The site also has an inventory of local mental health services and helplines, including those that are specially designed to help people with disabilities. Support groups can also assist families and individuals to find assistance and a network. You can find these on the internet, or through local support groups and charities. Many organizations also offer support groups specifically designed for adults with ADHD.