Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care professional is able to diagnose ADHD. This could include the primary health care provider psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and quantity of symptoms, as well as how they impact everyday life. The symptoms must have been present from childhood and must be causing problems in more than one environment, such as school or work.
Identifying Symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have been living with symptoms for years. But, they may not have known that they suffered from a mental disorder. Some people are diagnosed when they notice their relationships or their work performance are suffering. A diagnosis can be a surprise however it can also be a source of anxiety for those at different stages of life.
The most frequent symptoms of ADHD for adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of attention. For example, someone with ADHD may flitter around in their seat as they listen to a lecture at work or have trouble waiting for their turn in the line. They may also have difficulty finishing tasks on time or forgetting things easily. In addition, those with ADHD frequently have difficulty relaxing and may become angry and emotionally tense easily.
In children, the signs of ADHD are more obvious however, in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity may appear less obviously. For children, hyperactivity could manifest in running and jumping, while adults may exhibit these signs by shifting their weight or tapping on their feet. Additionally, they might have difficulty sitting still for long conversations or reading an article.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also have problems with impulse control. This can lead to risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unneeded items. They might be unable to resist temptation and delay gratification, which can lead to problems at home or at work. People with ADHD typically have issues with organization. This makes it difficult to keep track with their bills or finances.
A health professional will conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will look at the person's medical, developmental and educational background and ask questions about their current functioning. They can also talk to family members, teachers, or employers in order to understand a person's challenges.
A diagnosis of ADHD is when a person has multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must have been evident before the age of 12 and they must impact various aspects of a person's life, such as school, work, or social life.
Medical Histories
The American Psychiatric Association has published diagnostic guidelines for ADHD within the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition" (DSM-5). Your doctor will examine your medical as well as family and work histories to identify symptoms that fit these criteria. In this process, it is important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider about your problems because they won't be able to diagnose you without that information. Some doctors request their patients to speak with loved ones -- spouses, parents, or siblings, for instance -- about the effects of ADHD-related behavior on their lives. This can help the non-ADHD individual gain a better understanding of the challenges that their loved ones are facing. It could also help improve the relationship between them.
ADHD symptoms in adults may depend on the specific situation, but they are often identical to those that characterized ADHD in childhood. Adults often suffer from ADHD symptoms in a more complicated manner than children, and their symptoms can have a greater impact on their work, school and social life. For instance, adults who have ADHD might not be able to manage their time as well as children, and they might have difficulties finding jobs or maintaining relationships.
Your doctor will perform an evaluation of your clinical condition to determine ADHD. This includes an interview with you and any significant people in your life and a physical examination and laboratory tests. Additionally, you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected you in your life.
It is essential to consider any comorbid conditions that people with ADHD might have, like anxiety or depression. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse. These disorders can lead to feelings of frustration or underachievement which can be internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can create an unending cycle where symptoms that are not treated for ADHD increase the severity of the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare up even more often. This can have a significant impact on your quality of life, making it important to treat both the complicacies and the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
If a healthcare professional is trying to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD They usually conduct a psychological assessment. This involves an extensive interview with the patient, taking a thorough medical history of the family, as well as reviewing documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They will ask the patient to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD when they notice their symptoms are affecting different aspects of their lives. Their work could be affected by missed deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They might struggle in their relationships because they can't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be in chaos because they are unable to keep up with chores or take care of their children.
It is important to keep in mind that many people who do not have ADHD also suffer from some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments may cause similar symptoms. It is essential to seek the advice of an expert and have a thorough assessment.
A psychological evaluation will include a detailed look into the person's past, especially their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may also consider speaking with the person's spouse or parents, or other close family members to gain their opinions on the individual's behavior and how it has affected their daily functioning.
In addition an expert in mental health will evaluate the person with a series of standard tests designed to measure their cognitive abilities. These might include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can be used to determine if an individual suffers from ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals may recommend that a person take part in a trial to test whether they are ADHD-prone. Although participating in a trial could be beneficial, you must be aware that these trials are primarily designed to gain new information in the field of science, not to treat any specific health issue. If diagnosing adhd in adults interested in learning more, talk to your doctor or go to NIMH Clinical Trials.
Social Evaluation
Many adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain their stability at workplace or at home. They may be struggling to keep up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and completing appointments or getting kids ready for school. They may also have a difficult time keeping their work on track, and they often seem uneasy or "on edge" while sitting in the office.
It is crucial for a doctor to consider the various symptoms and how they impact the person's life prior to making a diagnosis of ADHD. Some people have ADHD-related problems in multiple areas of their lives, while others have issues in just one area such as work or relationships. The signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all used in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman, 2015).
A health professional will conduct an exhaustive mental health evaluation and will consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Stress, mood disorders and head injuries can mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical ailments could cause similar symptoms. It is also crucial to determine if a person has comorbidities like depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD can result in these psychiatric disorders and can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator may also look at the person's family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic component. It is widely known that ADHD is mostly hereditary and research suggests that 70%-80% of the risk for developing ADHD is caused by genetics. A low birth weight, exposure during pregnancy to toxins, and premature birth are all non-genetic factors which can contribute to ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can change your life. For some, it offers an explanation for their issues, while others feel relief that they know the reason behind their struggles. The traditional belief has been that only boys who are hyperactive can be diagnosed with ADHD, and this belief has resulted in women's symptoms being ignored for far too long. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and to share her personal experiences as an ADHD woman.