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https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/

Adult Diagnosis of ADHD A diagnosis of ADHD can change the life of adults suffering from the condition It can help people recognize the reasons why they struggle in relationships work and family However it can be difficult to get a diagnosis as symptoms can be overlapping with other ailments A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person and perform tests Symptoms The person might not be aware that they have ADHD until they reach adulthood perhaps because teachers and parents did not recognize symptoms at a younger age or because the demands of college or work life brought out the disorder Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more vulnerable in their work school and social lives wwwiampsychiatryuk can cause many problems including relationship problems and financial problems In order to diagnose ADHD a mental health professional will talk to the patient and review the patients personal medical and psychiatric history taking note of symptoms in various settings The patient will be asked to describe the symptoms and how they impact their daily life and relationships It is important that patients are open about their symptoms and not conceal them to avoid embarrassment It is also crucial for the mental health professional to assess whether these symptoms are related to comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD These conditions typically make the symptoms of ADHD worse and can interfere with effective treatment of the disorder If the psychiatrist or psychologist feels that the symptoms of ADHD are influenced by comorbid conditions additional cognitive neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities could be performed to determine an accurate diagnosis These tests will also help determine the level of functional impairment caused by these conditions The mental health professional will also ask to interview others who are significant like spouses or siblings to get a complete picture of how a person is functioning Diagnosis For adults the diagnosis of ADHD is usually made by a mental health specialist or doctor who conducts a thorough diagnostic assessment This involves a thorough interview about the history of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning and the presence of any other mental health disorders that could cooccur with ADHD such as mood disorders and anxiety In addition the practitioner may request to speak with significant othersusually the spouse or a close friend to assist in gaining more information about the persons behavior A correct diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life The diagnosis provides adults with an explanation for their behavior that they believed to be normal Its often a relief learn that their problems arent simply due to lazyness or forgetfulness The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth edition DSM5 requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivityimpulsivity This is a standard that has been established to ensure that people receive the help and treatment they need To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis a person must have been suffering from the symptoms for at least 12 months and they must cause significant impairment in a variety of settings including home school or work with family or friends or in other activities The number of symptoms needed for adults over 17 has been reduced from six to five Maintaining a positive relationship with your primary care physician can help you identify ADHD Many doctors diagnose and treat ADHD in kids and can refer you to an expert in mental health to assess adults Treatment If people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed their lives can alter drastically They might finally have reasons for their failures in school or the struggle to establish an occupation or a relationship A diagnosis can help relieve the shame that has built up for some people throughout their lives Talking to a mental health specialist or health care professional is the first step to receiving an assessment They may ask questions about family history and perform an examination to rule out any conditions that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD such as learning disabilities sleep disorders or use of alcoholdrugs They may also ask the person to complete an assessment scale of symptoms During the assessment process a doctor may ask to speak with an individual partner or spouse This will help the spouse who is not an ADHD or partner develop a clear understanding and compassionate attitude towards their loved ones ADHD symptoms which is crucial in enhancing relationships following an assessment If this is not feasible the doctor can conduct an interview with friends or colleagues who know the person well Adults with ADHD are treated primarily with medication Adult ADHD is treated with stimulants like methylphenidate Adderall and dextroamphetamine Other medications like Atomoxetine Stratterar and guanfacine Intuniv r Tenex r are able to increase norepinephrine in the brain These medications can help improve ADHD symptoms Psychotherapy is a different alternative Cognitivebehavioral therapies can help patients learn skills to manage their ADHD symptoms These include time management as well as organizational strategies self regulation of behavior and emotions and coping techniques for selfdoubt and negative criticism Other therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy help adults identify automatic or irrational thoughts that lead to negative behavior and devise strategies to replace them with positive selftalk Medication Many people discover that ADHD medication can improve their symptoms The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant and it is effective by increasing brain activity in areas that regulate the behavior and attention Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication for adults with ADHD and is available in a variety of forms It can be taken in immediaterelease tablets or modifiedrelease tablets that release the medication throughout the day Clonidine is a different type of medication that works by decreasing brain activity It can be taken in pill or liquid form The therapist or psychiatrist will review the medical and family history of the adult patient in order to determine factors that may cause similar symptoms This is crucial as certain medical conditions such as seizures and thyroid problems can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD In addition certain medications and dietary supplements may cause similar symptoms During the test the person is likely to describe their ADHD symptoms They will be asked to complete standard ADHD rating scales and check lists along with comprehensive psychological tests that test working memory executive functioning abilities like making decisions and planning spatial and visual abilities and reasoning skills If the therapist is of the opinion that ADHD symptoms are seriously affecting the quality of life of an individual they will recommend treatment In some instances the therapist might ask the individuals partner or spouse to talk with them regarding the impact of the patients symptoms on their relationship This can lessen the burden of blame between individuals and promote healthy productive relationships Counseling Many people with ADHD find relief in receiving an diagnosis Its an opportunity to discover why they have problems at school or at work and discover ways to overcome them Its an opportunity to transform negative behavior and build selfesteem Having a good support system is essential for success and counseling can assist Counseling for ADHD can involve psychological or psychotherapy therapy as well as a variety of behavioral interventions For example a therapist may create a reward chart which rewards positive behavior and is able to impose consequences for negative behavior The therapist could also guide the patient on how to manage their symptoms such as relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative yoga postures Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD It can be difficult to admit that you struggle with planning organizing and paying attention It can be embarrassing to confess that you have ADHD to coworkers or supervisors However the majority of teachers and bosses will be willing to make accommodations for your condition They may for instance permit you to write on a computer instead of paper or provide an explanation of the material in class In addition the therapist can also teach you ways to cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of talk therapy that helps you change negative thoughts and behavior to positive ones Counseling for ADHD can also include marital or family therapy This helps loved ones learn to communicate better and resolve problems with someone who suffers from ADHD People who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety and they may suffer from substance abuse that can cause more symptoms

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