Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care provider can diagnose ADHD. This might include a primary care provider psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, and the way they affect your daily life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and cause impairment in more than one setting like school or work.
Identifying the Symptoms
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have been living with symptoms for a long time. However, they may not have realized that they suffered from a mental illness. Other people receive a diagnosis when they discover that their relationships or their work performance are suffering. A diagnosis can be a surprise however it can also feel overwhelming for those at different stages of life.
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are a few of the most frequent ADHD symptoms among adults. A person with ADHD may fidget during an audio lecture or waiting in the line. They may also forget things easily or struggle to complete tasks on time. Those 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 apparent in adults. For instance when children are hyperactive, it may manifest as running or jumping around, whereas adults can display these symptoms more subduedly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They may also have trouble being still during a long conversation or reading an article.
Adults with ADHD may also experience issues with impulse control. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too fast or spending money on unneeded items. They may also have difficulty in deciding whether to resist temptation and delay the gratification which can cause issues at work or home. People with ADHD also have issues with organization, which could make it difficult to keep on top of their finances and their bills.
A medical professional will conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about the person's present functioning and review their medical, educational and developmental history. They can also talk to teachers, family members, or employers in order to understand a person's challenges.
A person must have multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been present before the age 12 and must affect several areas of one's life such as their school, job or social life.
Medical History
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 look over your medical and family records to determine whether you fit these criteria. During this process, it is important to be open and honest with your doctor about your problems because they aren't able to diagnose you without the information. Some doctors will ask patients to interview family members, like spouses, parents, or siblings, about the impact ADHD-related behaviors have on their lives. This could help the person who is not suffering from ADHD get a better understanding of the challenges their loved one faces. It can also enhance the relationship.
ADHD symptoms in adults can vary depending on the situation, but they are often very similar to the symptoms that characterize ADHD in childhood. Adults typically experience their ADHD symptoms in a different way than children, and these symptoms can have more impact on their school, work and social life. Adults suffering from ADHD might not be able to manage their time the same way as children and may have difficulty maintaining relationships or finding a job.
The doctor will conduct a clinical evaluation to diagnose ADHD. This includes an interview with yourself and any significant individuals who are in your life and a physical examination and laboratory tests. In addition, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires regarding symptoms that have affected you in your life.
When evaluating adults with ADHD in the same way, it's important to consider any comorbidities they may suffer from, like depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders are not treated, they can contribute to feelings of anger and frustration that are internalized as stress or anger. This can create a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms can worsen the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare up more often. This can have a profound impact on the quality of your life, so it is important to treat both the comorbidities and the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological assessment is typically conducted by a health care specialist to determine if a person has ADHD. This includes a thorough interview with the patient, an exhaustive medical history of the family and a thorough review of medical records. 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 standardized rating scales and questionnaires.
Adults who seek the diagnosis of ADHD often do so due to the fact that their symptoms affect multiple aspects of their lives. They may not be able to do well in meetings or miss deadlines at work. They could be having issues in their relationships if they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be in chaos due to their inability to keep up with chores or attend to their children.
It is crucial to remember that many people with ADHD have certain symptoms. A variety of factors could cause similar problems, including stress, mental health issues, as well as physical illnesses. As a result, it is important to seek out a health care expert and conduct a thorough evaluation.
A psychological evaluation will also include a detailed look at the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may be able to talk to the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to get their opinions on the individual's behavior and how it affects their daily functioning.
Additionally an expert in mental health will examine the patient using a series of standardized tests that are designed to assess their cognitive capabilities. This could 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 a person has ADHD symptoms.
Sometimes mental health professionals suggest that a person take part in clinical trials to try out new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a clinical study can be beneficial, it's important to understand that the primary purpose of these studies is to acquire new knowledge in science, not to treat a specific health problem. If get adhd diagnosis interested in learning more about clinical trials, speak with your doctor or go to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain their stability at home or work environment. They may have difficulty keeping up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and completing appointments, or getting children ready for school. They may also have trouble staying on task in the workplace and often appear restless or "on-edge" when they sit at their desks.
It's important for a doctor to look at all these symptoms and how they affect the life of a person prior to making the diagnosis of ADHD. Some people have ADHD in many areas of their lives, whereas others have a single issue like relationships or work. Signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are all included in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman 2015).
A health professional will perform an exhaustive mental evaluation and also consider other elements that could cause similar symptoms as ADHD. For example, stress depression, mood disorders, head injuries or other injuries, certain medications, thyroid conditions, and other physical ailments can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is also essential to determine if someone has comorbidities such as anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD can lead to these psychiatric disorders, which could cause ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator will also look at the person's family history of ADHD to see if there is a genetic element. Research suggests that as much as 80% of ADHD risk is passed down through the family. A low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy and premature birth are all non-genetic causes that contribute to ADHD.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life altering moment. Many people are relieved to finally have an explanation for their struggles. Others are relieved that they know what is causing their problems. In the past, the belief has been that only hyperactive little boys are diagnosed with ADHD, and this belief has resulted in women's symptoms being omitted for too long. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and share her personal experiences as an ADHD woman.