Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care provider can diagnose ADHD. This could include the primary health care provider, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, and the way they affect your the daily routine. The symptoms must be present since childhood and be causing impairment in more than one environment, such as school or work.
Identifying symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have suffered from their symptoms for years, but they may not know that they suffer from a mental health condition. Other people receive a diagnosis when they notice their relationships or work productivity are suffering. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but it can be a bit overwhelming for people at different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are among the most common ADHD symptoms in adults. A person who suffers from ADHD may fidget while listening to a lecture or waiting in the line. why not try here may also have difficulty working on their tasks in time or forgetting things quickly. People suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty relaxing and become frustrated and emotionally easily.
ADHD symptoms are more evident in children, whereas the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity are less evident in adults. For example in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and running around, while adults might display these signs more subduedly through shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems being still during an extended conversation or reading a book.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also experience issues with controlling their impulses. This can lead to risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unneeded items. They may also have difficulty resisting the urge to buy something and delaying their satisfaction. This can cause problems at home or work. People with ADHD frequently have difficulties with organization. This makes it difficult to keep up with their bills or finances.
A medical professional will conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will ask about the person's current performance and review their medical, educational and developmental history. They may also speak with relatives and teachers to gain more insight into a person's struggles.
A person has to have multiple symptoms for at least 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have manifested before the age of 12, and they must impact a number of areas of a person's daily life, such as school, work or their social life.
Medical History
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 look over your personal, family medical and work histories to determine if you have symptoms that meet these requirements. During this process, you is important to be open and honest with your health care provider about your concerns since they won't be able to diagnose you without that information. Some doctors will ask patients to interview family members, like parents, spouses or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behavior has on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person develop an accurate understanding of the challenges their loved ones face. It also may help the relationship in the future.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them appear very similar to the behaviors that characterized the condition in childhood. Adults often experience their ADHD symptoms in a more complex way than children, and their symptoms can have more impact on their work, school and social life. For instance, people with ADHD may not be capable of managing their time as well as children, and they may have more trouble finding work or maintaining relationships.
The doctor will conduct an evaluation of your clinical condition to determine ADHD. This includes an interview with you and any significant people in your lives as well as a physical exam and laboratory tests. You and your family members will be required to complete questionnaires about symptoms that have affected you.
When evaluating adults suffering from ADHD, it is also important to consider any comorbidities they may suffer from, like anxiety or depression that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. These disorders can cause feelings of frustration or underachievement that are interpreted as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms can worsen the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare-up even more often. This can have a major impact on your quality-of-life, so it's important to treat the ADHD and the co-morbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care provider is trying to determine if a patient has ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological examination. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, taking a thorough medical history of the family, and examining documents. They will ask the person to describe their symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will then ask the person to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD typically do so because they realize that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. Their work could be affected due to late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They could have issues with their relationships if they are unable to listen or wait their turn. Their home life could be in chaos because they don't pay attention to children or keep up with their chores.
It is important to keep in mind that many people with ADHD also suffer from some of these symptoms. Many factors can cause similar problems, such as stress, other mental health issues, as well as physical ailments. In this regard, it is important to consult a health care professional and to conduct a thorough evaluation.
A psychological assessment may also include a thorough examination of the person's background, including their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also want to speak with the person's parents, spouse, or other family members to get their perspectives about how the person's actions have affected their daily functioning and relationships.
In addition, a mental health professional will evaluate the person using a series of standardized tests that measure their cognitive capabilities. These tests can include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale (HPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF). These tests can indicate whether or not an individual is suffering from ADHD.
Sometimes, mental health professionals will suggest that a person take part in an experimental study to test new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a clinical study could be beneficial, it's crucial to realize that the main purpose of these studies is to acquire new knowledge in science, not to treat a specific health issue. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, consult with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain stability in their home or workplace. They may be struggling to keep up with everyday tasks such as cleaning the house or remembering to make appointments and keep them or getting their children ready for school. They might also have a difficult time keeping their focus at work, and are often seen as agitated or "on-edge" when they are sitting at their desk.
Before diagnosing ADHD it is crucial that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their impact on a person's daily life. There are people who have problems with ADHD throughout their lives, whereas others have issues in just particular areas, such as relationships or work. The criteria to diagnose ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.
A health professional will conduct a thorough mental health evaluation and will consider other factors that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Stress depression, mood disorders, and head injuries could mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid diseases, medications, and other physical ailments could cause similar symptoms. It's important to determine if someone is suffering from comorbidities such as anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD can lead to these mental disorders, and they may cause the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator may also examine the individual's family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic component. It is well-known that ADHD is largely inherited, and research suggests that around 70% to 80% of the risk for developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. A low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy, and premature birth are all factors that are not genetic that contribute to ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. For some, it provides a concrete explanation for their struggles, while others feel relief that they now know the reason behind their struggles. In the past, the belief has been that only hyperactive little boys can be diagnosed with ADHD and this assumption has led to many women's symptoms being ignored for a long time. Hamdani who is popularly known as the Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok has decided to dispel the myths surrounding ADHD and share her experiences as an ADHD women.