Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could be an primary health care practitioner, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and quantity of symptoms, as well as the way they affect your daily life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one environment like school or at work.
Identifying Symptoms
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD have suffered from their symptoms for a long time however, they may not know that they suffer from a mental health condition. Some people are diagnosed after they notice that their work productivity is declining or that their relationships are in trouble. A diagnosis can be a revelation but it can also feel overwhelming for those at different stages of life.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are a few of the most frequent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. For example, someone suffering from ADHD may flitter around in their seat as they listen to an educational lecture at work, or struggle to wait for their turn in line. They might also be prone to forgetting things or struggle to complete tasks in time. People with ADHD may also have trouble getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily.
ADHD symptoms are more apparent in children, while the impulsivity and hyperactivity may be less evident in adults. For instance when children are hyperactive, it may manifest as running and jumping around, but adults can display these symptoms more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems being still during long conversations or reading a book.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have difficulty in controlling their impulses which could lead to reckless behaviors like driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They might also have a hard time resisting temptation and delaying the pleasure. This can lead to issues at work or at home. People with ADHD often have difficulty with organization. This makes it difficult to keep up with their finances or bills.
A health care professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether an individual has ADHD. They will look at a person's developmental, medical and educational background and inquire regarding their current functioning. They may also interview relatives, teachers or employers to gain an understanding of a person's struggles.
A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for at least 12 months in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been evident before the age of 12 and they should affect various aspects of a person's daily life, like school, work, or social life.
Medical Histories
The American Psychiatric Association publishes diagnostic guidelines for ADHD in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition" (DSM-5). Your doctor will review your medical, family, and work histories to identify symptoms that meet these criteria. During this process, you is crucial to be honest and honest with your healthcare provider about your problems because they can't diagnose you without the information. Some doctors will ask patients to ask family members, such as parents, spouses, or siblings, about the impact the behavior of ADHD has on their lives. This can help the person who is not diagnosed with ADHD to gain a clear understanding of the issues their loved ones face. It also could help their relationship in the future.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them look very similar to the behavior that was characteristic of the condition in childhood. Adults usually suffer from ADHD symptoms in a different way than children, and the symptoms have more impact on their school, work and social life. For instance, adults with ADHD may not be able to manage their time as well as children, and they may experience more trouble finding work or maintaining relationships.
Your doctor will perform a clinical evaluation to diagnose ADHD. This includes an interview with you and any significant people in your life as well as a physical exam and laboratory tests. Additionally you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires about issues that have affected your life.
When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD as a group, it is important to take into consideration any comorbidities they may suffer from, like depression or anxiety, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. These disorders can cause feelings of anger or frustration that are interpreted as stress or anger that is persistent. This can lead to an unending cycle where symptoms that are not treated for ADHD increase the severity of the underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare up even more often. This can have a profound impact on the quality of your life, which is why it is essential to treat both co-morbidities as well as the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
If a healthcare professional wants to determine whether someone has ADHD typically, they conduct a psychological evaluation. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, including a full medical history of the family, as well as examining documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms using scales of standardization and questionnaires.
Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD do so when they realize that their symptoms impacting different aspects of their life. Their work might be affected by late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They might struggle in their relationships because they cannot listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be in disarray because they are unable to keep up with chores or pay attention to their children.
It is important to remember that many people without ADHD have some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments can cause similar symptoms. In this regard, it is important to speak with a health expert and undergo a thorough assessment.
A psychological evaluation will also provide a thorough analysis of the person's background, including their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's spouse or parents, or other close family members to find out their opinions on the individual's behavior and how it affects their daily functioning.
A mental health professional might also utilize a set of standard tests to assess the person's cognitive abilities. This could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can help determine if a person has ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals might suggest that a person participate in a study to determine whether they are susceptible to ADHD. While taking how to get an adult adhd diagnosis in a trial may be beneficial, you must be aware that these studies are designed to gather new knowledge in science and not to treat specific health problems. If you are interested in knowing more about clinical trials, speak with your doctor or go to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD struggle to maintain stability at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with everyday tasks such as cleaning the house or remembering to schedule appointments and keep them, or getting their children ready for school. They may also have trouble staying focused at work, and are often seen as agitated or "on-edge" when they sit at their desks.
It is essential for a doctor to take into consideration all these symptoms and how they affect a person's life before making an assessment of ADHD. Certain people suffer from ADHD in a variety of areas of their lives, whereas others have only one problem such as work or relationships. Symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all used in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Austerman 2015).
A health care professional will perform an exhaustive mental evaluation and also consider other elements that could trigger similar symptoms as ADHD. Stress and mood disorders, as well as head injuries could mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical conditions may cause similar symptoms. It is also crucial to determine whether a person has comorbidities like depression or anxiety. Untreated ADHD may cause psychiatric disorders that can make ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator may also examine the family history of ADHD to determine if there's a genetic cause. It is well-known that ADHD is largely inherited, and research suggests that 70% to 80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is inherited. Other non-genetic factors that could cause the development of ADHD include low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy or birth prematurely.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be a life-altering event. Some find it a relief to finally have an explanation for their struggles. Others are relieved that they understand the root of their problems. Historically, the myth has been that only hyperactive boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this assumption has led to many women's symptoms being omitted for too long. Hamdani, who is popularly known as the Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok, has decided to dispel the myths associated with ADHD and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.