How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult

09 Jun How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) begins in childhood and often continues to affect adults in their mature years. In fact, in the last 10 years, rates of ADHD in adults have more than doubled. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can help you receive the right treatment, which will help you accept your limitations and build on your strengths. In this article, we explore how to get a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult, and we share helpful tips for how to navigate the unique challenges of living with this disorder.

Signs That You Might Have ADHD as an Adult

• Common Symptoms: Do you have difficulty concentrating and staying on task? Do you get easily distracted because something is new and exciting? Do you struggle to maintain a tidy work- or living-space? Do you often go over your budget because of impulsive financial decisions? Do you fidget when you sit still? Have you been in several car accidents? Do you talk a lot and often interrupt others? Do you struggle to regulate your emotions? Answering yes to all or most of these questions means it is likely you could be living with ADHD.
• Impact on Daily Life: ADHD can affect all aspects of our lives, including family, work, school, life skills, self-concept, and increase your risky behaviour. Being easily distracted can affect how you perform at work and academically. Because of this, you might find that you don’t perform as well as your colleagues, and this could negatively affect your self-concept. Similarly, if you struggle to maintain a clean house because you are forgetful or procrastinate, this could negatively affect your relationships. In almost all areas of our lives, ADHD has the potential to create challenges and difficulties beyond our control.
• When to Seek Help: A lot of people grow up not realizing they have ADHD, and so learn to compensate or overlook their symptoms. If any of the above problems resonate with you, or you find you have always struggled to focus and accomplish tasks, it would be advisable to seek an assessment. Especially if you feel like these issues are affecting your ability to work, maintain relationships, or negatively affecting your self-concept, receiving an assessment and treatment can provide a lot of relief.

Why Many Adults Remain Undiagnosed with ADHD

• Overlooked in Childhood: There still remain many misconceptions about ADHD. You may have heard that ADHD doesn’t exist in children and they just have a lot of energy. While increased rates of ADHD may have to do with our society’s emphasis on academics and productivity, the myths surrounding this disorder lead to underdiagnoses among child populations.  Parents and some Professionals may hold beliefs about ADHD that may cause them to overlook symptoms in children.
• Masking Symptoms: If you did grow up with undiagnosed ADHD, it means you had to learn coping strategies to manage it on your own. This could mean you learned unique strategies for studying and taking tests in school where you had to put in a lot more effort than the kids around you. Or, if you struggled with social relationships, you could have felt like you never fit in. As children get older, it is also common to self-medicate or seek out activities that increase dopamine to stay alert and motivated.
• Stigma Around Adult ADHD: The most common misconception about ADHD is that you are not trying or working hard enough. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, as ADHD is firmly grounded in genetics and is a disorder that affects the biological level of brain functioning.  If you have ADHD you are likely working much harder than others just to function. Another common misconception is that medications do not work or that they cause harm.  While the decision to medicate is an individual one, studies show medications are the most effective form of treatment in reducing symptoms.  In some cases however, individuals will experience negative side effects.  Working with the right professional to find the correct medication and dosage can help maximize the benefit while minimizing the side effects. In any case, medication is not the only form of treatment available and is most effective when combined with other treatments such as therapy.

Steps to Get Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult

• Step 1: Self-Assessment: If you relate to the symptoms and descriptions above, it is recommended that you discuss your concerns with a professional who can help you determine if it would be beneficial to seek an assessment.  While self-screening tools are available online, they do not confirm a diagnosis of ADHD.
• Step 2: Finding a Specialist: When choosing a specialist it is important to find someone with expertise in this area. At Still Waters Psychology, we have worked with countless individuals with ADHD, helping them receive a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
• Step 3: Initial Interview: During your initial interview, you may be asked to complete a screening tool which will help determine what will be assessed and how. You will participate in an interview so your clinician can consider your history and understand the impact your symptoms have had in your life.  
• Step 4: Diagnostic Testing: Many different diagnostic tools can be used to assess ADHD, but all include an assessment of ADHD-related symptoms both in childhood and adulthood.  Some questionnaires will be completed yourself and others will be provided to someone in your life who knows you.  Additional testing may be completed to assess the impact ADHD symptoms have on your quality of life.
• Step 5: Review and Diagnosis: Once all of the above information has been gathered, your clinician will score your results and provide you with a comprehensive assessment report.  If your diagnosis is confirmed, they will explain what your diagnosis means, and direct you towards treatment options which may include medication, therapy, or coaching/skills-building.  

How Still Waters Diagnoses and Treats ADHD in Adults

• While most individuals can relate to the symptoms of ADHD such as misplacing belongings or being distracted, not everyone meets the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis.  However, our clinicians have dedicated training and experience with diagnosis and treatment to help ensure you receive a proper assessment and follow-up care. 
• Personalized Care: What makes ADHD even more complex is that each individual’s experiences and challenges are unique to them. We begin by helping you understand your attention style and diagnosis. And then based on your priorities, we will work together to bring relief to your symptoms in order of importance. Since you are more than just a diagnosis of ADHD, it is important for us to build a relationship where you can share your concerns in a way that respects your unique life history.
• Comprehensive Treatment Plan: After a diagnosis and a thorough life history, we can work together to develop a plan tailored to your needs. This might include developing strategies or skills to manage your symptoms, accessing tools and resources, acceptance of your limitations, and challenges, improving your self-esteem and building your support system.  

Post-Diagnosis: Managing ADHD as an Adult

• Therapeutic Approaches: Therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are helpful for improving executive functioning skills, building new skills/habits, and improving self-esteem.
• Medication Options: Medications can be an important part of treatment for ADHD. Especially for people wanting to pursue academics, or who struggle with an office job, medications can greatly help reduce negative symptoms and improve focus and attention.  It is important to work with your doctor and a psychologist to find the right dose and type of medication, as this can vary widely from person-to-person and can take time to find what works best for you.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Besides medication, certain lifestyle adjustments such as regular exercise, appropriate nutrition, and adjustments to the environment can improve functioning.   
• Ongoing Support: Continuing to see a professional as new problems arise, or as old struggles continue to surface, can be an effective way to ensure you do not fall back into old patterns and maintain the changes you have made. After a while, it may not be necessary to see a professional every week, but every other week or once a month can be helpful to ensure you are staying aligned with your goals.

Conclusion
Getting diagnosed with ADHD when you are an adult can be a struggle as it means coming to accept some limitations, but it will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life. Along the way you will also find there are strengths to having ADHD. Inventors like Nikolai Tesla, for example, often have Many successful inventors and creators have ADHD and have used their strengths to think outside of the box and take risks that others wouldn’t be able to. Living with ADHD doesn’t need to be a struggle, and in some instances, it can actually be an advantage. Reaching out for help can be the first step towards creating the life you want to live and developing your gifts to build on your unique strengths.