Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Many people suffer from moderate or mild ADHD symptoms. They may be diagnosed if their life problems are severe enough to interfere with work and relationships.

They may find themselves having difficulty meeting the demands of their job or school, experiencing stress at home and feeling guilty for putting off work or handling situations in a poor way. You could consult your primary doctor for recommendations or look online for health professionals that carry out ADHD assessments.

What is the Diagnosis Process?

The process of diagnosis begins with a thorough interview that examines the medical history of the patient. This includes family history as well as major life events such as relationships, work and school performance drug use, and driving record. It also includes lifestyle habits like sleep, diet and exercise as along with any vitamins or supplements the individual is taking.

The doctor reviews the person's symptoms and compares them to the diagnostic criteria laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes signs of impulsivity or inattention, that have been present for at least six months and are severe enough to cause disruption to school or work. Adults have a lower threshold: only five out of nine criteria is required to identify a mental health issue.

A physical exam is usually the next step, as some conditions such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. This helps the doctor narrow down possible causes. It also assists them create an "suspects list" which they can then evaluate through further tests. These tests can range from bloodwork, brain imaging and cognitive tests. These tests can take a while, but they are necessary to ensure that your doctor does not miss any issue that could be causing ADHD symptoms.

After the list has been narrowed down, it's time to determine a final diagnosis. The doctor will go over the results and make a recommendation in light of what they've discovered. For many people, getting a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It can provide a reason for the years of struggle and challenges that were blamed by some for incompetence or lazyness. It can also lead to a new appreciation of their strengths and the ways to use them to benefit themselves. Others may feel some regret as they consider the opportunities they missed because of their ailments not being addressed.

If you're hoping to be diagnosed with ADHD on the NHS, it's best to get a specialist assessment. This will include an assessment of mental health, an ADHD assessment, and the referral to your GP to discuss your management. It can be difficult to get a diagnosis in private, but some GPs are willing to accept it when you pay for private consultation.

What are the signs?

Adults with ADHD have a tendency to manage their symptoms to lead productive and fulfilling lifestyles. However when their symptoms get more severe, they can struggle to find work, maintain healthy relationships, and deal with the stresses of daily life. Financial issues can also be the result due to delayed appointments with doctors, missed doctor's appointments, fees or impulse purchases. This can cause people to feel like they're failing and have low self-esteem.

It's important to speak with your doctor if you suspect you may have ADHD in your adulthood. They can provide suggestions on how to treat it and can refer you to a specialist if needed. Your healthcare provider will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose you, which is the book that lists the symptoms of mental health conditions.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have experienced several inattentive symptoms and five or more of the hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms before age 12. In addition, the symptoms should have been present in more than one setting and they should interfere with or hinder the quality of your social, school or work-related performance.

Inattention-related symptoms are a lack of attention to tasks, losing details, or failing to follow instructions. They can also result in losing things like keys, eyeglasses, and papers. Hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms include fidgeting or tapping feet, leaving your seat in situations when it's not appropriate, talking too much, or feeling restless.

A person suffering from ADHD may also have trouble keeping a schedule, staying organized, or completing chores and homework. They can also have difficulty remembering appointments or dates and they can be easily distracted by other activities or people.


A diagnosis of ADHD is empowering, as it helps you understand that your problems aren't entirely your responsibility. You can then change your behavior and improve how you manage time, money and tasks. You can also learn strategies to help you deal with your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes in addition to medications. This can include a balanced diet, regular exercise and a balanced diet. It's also important to get enough sleep and avoid sugar, caffeine and other stimulants during the hours before bedtime.

What is the Treatment Process?

Adults who suffer from ADHD often need more than the right medication to be diagnosed. People who suffer from ADHD may need to change their lifestyles and their behavior, and they might require counseling to help manage their symptoms.

If a person is going to see a healthcare professional for an ADHD assessment, they must be open about any issues in their lives that could be linked to the disorder, such as issues with relationships, as well as problems at school or at work. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire which asks for specific information about these areas. You might also be able to ask your family or acquaintances to complete the same. These responses can be a valuable source of insight on whether a person's problems are caused by ADHD or by other factors like physical or psychological conditions such as depression.

The evaluator will also take into account the individual's history including their childhood experiences and any traumas they might have suffered. They might ask the person to complete one or more standardized behavior rating scales that measure the behaviors of those with and without ADHD. Psychological tests are often used to test executive function, working memory and spatial and visual abilities.

If a healthcare professional thinks someone is suffering from ADHD the doctor will typically recommend him or her to a specialist experienced in treating the disorder in adults. These specialists can be found by asking their primary care doctor for a referral or searching for an expert in mental health who is knowledgeable about ADHD in the online directory of their health insurance plan. You can also join an in-person support group for adults with ADHD and speak with others who have had similar experiences.

A diagnosis of ADHD in adults can trigger a variety of emotions, including satisfaction that there is now a reason for their symptoms and frustration that they were unable to be diagnosed for many years. Some people might be feeling guilty for not trying to do better in their daily lives. However the guilt can be eased when they realize that their difficulties weren't their own fault and they can find the best treatment to improve their quality.

What is the Support Process?

When an adult is diagnosed with ADHD, they might experience a range of emotions. Read Home Page Links to an external site. may feel relieved that they have a reason for their difficulties, or sad about missed opportunities that would have been avoided if the diagnosis was been earlier, or frustrated at the fact that their symptoms were omitted for so long. Being treated can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals. It is essential to talk with a professional in health care who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can help you set realistic expectations, find effective ways to improve your daily life, and help get family members on the same page.

You can test yourself or rate your performance on online questionnaires. However, these tools cannot provide a definitive diagnosis. Asking your primary care doctor for a referral to an ADHD specialist or using the online directory of your health insurance provider to find a doctor who has experience treating adults is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis.

Once you find a medical professional to see, you should prepare for your appointment by collecting any documents that pertain to your specific situation. This might include performance evaluations from your job as well as copies of previous psychological tests, and old report cards from school. Be prepared to answer click this link Links to an external site. regarding your work-related symptoms and home, your use of alcohol or drugs and your relationships relationships with family and friends. You might also need to present records from other professionals, like a psychiatrist or neurologist.

Adults who seek the diagnosis of ADHD usually do so because they're struggling to perform well in their professional and personal lives, and they wish to understand what's happening. They might notice that their performance is dropping or their relationships are becoming strained, or they might have ongoing sad moods that don't seem to be explained by other causes.

For some who are struggling to receive a diagnosis because healthcare professionals might have preconceived notions of the symptoms of ADHD appear to be. This is particularly the case for those who are minorities, assigned female at birth, or non-native English people. However, there is growing awareness of these biases as well as efforts to address them.