Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect you have ADHD You should consult your primary care physician for an appointment. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations or use the internet to find professionals who are qualified to evaluate ADHD.

A medical professional will ask questions about your current symptoms. However, under current guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be made without also considering your childhood background. Your doctor might ask you to speak with your teachers, parents or any other adult who knew you as a child.

Understanding Your Symptoms

Many people with ADHD don't realize they have it until later in life. They may have missed the diagnosis as a child and then have to deal with problems at work, at home and at school. A diagnosis and treatment plan can help them to restore their lives to order.


Adults with ADHD are unable to focus on their plans and paying attention to the details. They tend to make decisions on impulse and become easily distracted. They might also find it difficult to sit through activities that are boring and often shift their focus from one task to another. This could lead to them missing important events or deadlines, as well as frequent missteps at work or at school.

The signs of adult adhd can be different for everyone. They tend to appear in the early years of childhood, but may also manifest as adolescence or adulthood. The symptoms should be present for at least six months and cause significant difficulty in multiple situations to be able to be diagnosed.

In some cases the doctor may review school reports to find out if there are any comments regarding behavior issues or a lack of effort and underachievement compared to your potential. The doctor may also ask the person being evaluated to speak with his or her parents. Adults being evaluated by a doctor for ADHD should be honest and open about their issues. They shouldn't be shy out of fear of embarrassment or shame.

Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked or misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less apparent than those of men. Their struggles may be concealed by the responsibilities of caring for children or performing more traditional gender-specific roles. The signs of ADHD in women include being unable to focus on important tasks, not being able to finish work on time, making numerous mistakes and lacking focus at work or at school. They tend to engage in fidgeting like tapping their feet or bouncing their legs.

Adults with ADHD can still achieve success in their professional and personal lives. They need to learn how to handle their challenges and use the support they can access. They can also implement strategies that will help them succeed, like the use of a planner or calendar, or phones with reminders.

Understanding Your Diagnosis

The signs of adult ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from normal difficulties that arise in daily life, such as a tendency to forget appointments or losing track of tasks. The difference is important since if the disorder is not treated, treated poorly or unmanaged, it can result in serious social and work problems which include financial problems and strained relationships.

A mental health professional with specific training and experience in treating ADHD can diagnose the condition. This could include psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and physicians (such as psychiatrists, neurologists or family doctors) who specialize in neurology or psychiatry. They also have a deep understanding of co-existing disorders, like anxiety and depression, which are often associated with ADHD.

A thorough interview will be conducted to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD. This will involve an examination of the patient's medical, personal and family background. The interview will ask questions regarding how the individual's ADHD symptoms affect their work and relationships. It is crucial for the person to be honest and not hide any information.

It's also a great idea to discuss any issues that the person may have had at work or in their personal life since childhood. In many cases, these can reveal patterns that indicate that the person has ADHD. Many people with ADHD have difficulty forming close bonds and changing jobs often. In addition, it is common for adults with ADHD to have problems with managing money and spending more than they ought to.

In some instances an assessment for adult ADHD could include additional tests like neuropsychological, psychological or learning disabilities tests to rule out other causes of the person's issues. A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from an underlying learning disorder, like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyscalculia. In these situations, accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that help manage a disability--may be helpful.

Some people suffering from ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavior and/or psychotherapy in addition to lifestyle modifications and treatment methods. These therapies can help people learn to recognize their own thoughts and behaviors and develop strategies to manage them.

Receiving Treatment

Many people who suffer from ADHD experience the same difficulties like they did as children issues with relationships, and at work, difficulty in completing their schoolwork or finding jobs. These issues often require a medical referral for diagnosis and treatment. The first step for many is to talk to their primary care physician. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD.

Your doctor will perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine if you have ADHD or another condition that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. They will interview you, look over your behavior and past history of your family and medical history, and utilize the psychiatric rating scales as well as questionnaires. The doctor will also examine your physical health, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Other conditions that can trigger similar symptoms are stress, depression, and anxiety as well as certain medications and substance abuse.

Adults with ADHD typically have a difficult to recognize that they suffer from the disorder. They've learned to hide their symptoms and make excuses for their symptoms, but they may still suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men and could be labeled as a goof-off, slacker or troublemaker.

During an ADHD evaluation, your doctor will examine your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may also conduct interviews with you and your family as well as your colleagues at work. He or she will use a variety of tools, like old report cards, to document childhood ADHD symptoms.

Treatment options for adults with ADHD are behavioral and pharmacological (medication). The most common treatment for ADHD is medication that aids in the balance of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. These include stimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine as well as non-stimulants.

Certain behavioral therapies can help as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and education about ADHD. Some people with ADHD benefit from lifestyle changes by establishing routines, and using an organizer or journal. Counseling for families and marriage or a life coach who can help with time management and organizing skills, are beneficial for others. Certain people with ADHD might also benefit from accommodating arrangements at work or in school. These can include extended deadlines and flexible schedules.

Find Help

Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is stressful. It could be the first step in finding a way to manage the symptoms that be affecting your life for a number of years. Adult ADHD symptoms include difficulty staying on top of school or work obligations and losing personal belongings, missing important appointments, spending money impulsively and not following medical advice and many more. These problems can cause chronic anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequate. Having adhd diagnosis in adult and adhering to the best techniques can make a huge difference in the way you deal with your issues.

In the past, many people who had ADHD were incorrectly diagnosed. They might have struggled finding a job that was suitable or failed in their academic endeavors and struggled to find long-term relationships. They could have many regrets over missed opportunities and lost time.

A diagnosis of adult ADHD usually involves a comprehensive interview with a mental health professional including family members should it be possible. The person is also required to fill out questionnaires and scales and talk about their past. In order to be diagnosed, the person must have experienced at least five symptoms of inattention and/or five symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity before age 12.

Depending on the person and their symptoms, further psychological or neuropsychological testing may be performed. This testing can give more information about the ways the individual's ADHD affects their lives, and help determine if there are any co-existing conditions that need to be treated.

Treatment options for adult ADHD typically involve counseling for psychological issues (psychotherapy) as well as education and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy helps people understand and manage ADHD and build strategies for dealing with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Family and marital counseling may also be helpful for individuals with ADHD who have difficulties maintaining relationships.

The first step in locating the right counselor is to seek an appointment from your physician or a specialist. You can also contact the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or graduate school in psychology to get recommendations. Select a psychologist who you are comfortable with and who is experienced in treating adults.