Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could be the primary health care provider psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and quantity of symptoms, and how they impact daily life. The symptoms must be present since childhood and cause impairment in multiple settings, such as work or school.
Identifying Symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have been living with symptoms for many years. However, they may not have realized they suffered from a mental disorder. Some people are diagnosed after they realize that their work productivity is declining or that their relationships are strained. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but can also be overwhelming for those at different stages of their lives.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD in adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. A person with ADHD may fidget while listening to a lecture or waiting in line. They may also forget things easily or have trouble finishing tasks on time. Additionally, people with ADHD often have trouble calming down and may become frustrated and emotional quickly.
In children, symptoms of ADHD are more obvious, but in adults, hyperactivity and impulsivity might not be apparent. For example in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and jumping around, but adults might display these signs more subduedly through shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In IamPsychiatry , they could be unable to remain still for long conversations or reading an article.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also have problems with control of their impulses. This can lead to risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary things. They may also have trouble resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can cause problems at home or work. People with ADHD frequently have difficulties with organization. This makes it difficult for them to keep up with their expenses or financial obligations.
A medical professional will conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will examine the person's medical, developmental and educational background and ask questions regarding their current functioning. They may also speak to family members, teachers or employers to understand a person's challenges.
A diagnosis of ADHD requires that the person suffers from multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12, and they must affect a number of areas of a person's life, including 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, family, and work histories to identify symptoms that match these criteria. It is essential to be honest and forthcoming with your doctor regarding your symptoms, as they will not be able to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask patients to ask family members, like spouses, parents or siblings, about the effect the behavior of ADHD has on their lives. This could help the person who is not suffering from ADHD get a better understanding of the challenges that their loved ones face. It could also help improve the relationship.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary depending on the situation, but they often appear very similar to the behaviors that characterized the condition during childhood. A key difference is that adults often experience their symptoms in more complex ways than children do, and their symptoms have a bigger impact on their work, social, and school lives. Adults who suffer from ADHD may not be able manage their time the same way as children and may have difficulty maintaining relationships or finding jobs.
To determine the diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a thorough clinical evaluation, which typically includes an interview with you and any other significant people in your life, a physical examination and lab tests to rule out any other medical issues that can affect ADHD. Additionally, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires about symptoms that have affected you in your life.
When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD in the same way, it's important to consider any comorbidities they may have, such as anxiety or depression that could make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these conditions aren't addressed, they may contribute to feelings of frustration and underachievement that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to an unending cycle of 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 address the ADHD and other comorbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
If a healthcare professional is trying to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological examination. This involves an extensive interview with the patient, including a full medical history of the family, and looking over documents. They will ask the person to explain their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will ask the patient to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD often do so because they notice that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. They may not be able to do well in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They could be having issues in their relationships if they don't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic due to the fact that they don't pay attention to their children or complete their chores.
It is crucial to remember that many people with ADHD also experience certain symptoms. A variety of factors can cause similar problems, such as stress, other mental health issues and physical illnesses. As a result, it is important to seek out a health care professional and undergo a thorough assessment.
A psychological evaluation will involve a detailed look into the person's history, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also want to speak with the person's spouse, parents or other close relatives to find out their perspective on how the person's behavior have affected their daily functioning and relationships.
A mental health professional might also use a series standard tests to assess the person's cognitive abilities. They could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests will help to determine whether or not the person has symptoms of ADHD.
Mental health professionals might recommend that a person take part in a trial to test if he or she is hyperactive. Although participating in a trial could be beneficial, you should understand that these studies are designed to gather new scientific information and not to treat any specific health issue. If you're interested to learn more, speak to your doctor or visit NIMH Clinical Trials.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD struggle to keep their balance at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with the daily chores like cleaning the home, remembering and keeping appointments or getting their children ready for school. They may also have difficulty staying on task at work and often appear uneasy or "on edge" when they are in the office.
Before diagnosing ADHD it is crucial that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their impact on a person's daily life. Certain people suffer from ADHD in many areas of their lives, while others are only affected by one issue such as work or relationships. Symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all considered in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD (Austerman 2015).
A medical professional will perform a thorough mental evaluation and consider other factors that could trigger similar symptoms to ADHD. Stress and mood disorders, as well as head injuries can mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical ailments could also cause similar symptoms. It's also important to determine if someone has comorbidities like depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD can result in these psychiatric conditions and can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator can also look into the family history of ADHD in order to determine if there is a genetic component. It is well-known that ADHD is largely inherited and research suggests that 70% to 80% of the risk for developing ADHD is inherited. Other factors that are not genetic and could contribute to the development of ADHD include a low birth weight or exposure to toxins in pregnancy or having a premature birth.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. Some find it a relief to finally understand the reason for their issues. Others are relieved that they understand what is causing their problems. Historically, the myth was that only hyperactive little boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this assumption has led to women's symptoms being omitted for too long. Hamdani who is known as The Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok is determined to dispel the myths associated with ADHD and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.