Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include a primary care provider psychiatrist, psychologist or psychiatrist.
A diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the number and severity of symptoms and how they affect everyday life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and be causing impairment in more than just one place, like school or at work.
Identifying the Symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have suffered from symptoms for years. However, they may not have realized that they suffered from a mental disorder. Some people are diagnosed after they notice that their work productivity is declining or that their relationships are struggling. A diagnosis could be a surprise, but it can also be a source of anxiety for people at various stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are among the most prevalent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. For instance, someone who suffers from ADHD might fidget in their seat while they listen to a lecture at work or struggle to wait their turn in the line. They may also have difficulty finishing tasks on time or losing things easily. People with ADHD may also have trouble getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily.
ADHD symptoms are more apparent in children, while the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity are less evident in adults. For instance, in children, hyperactivity may manifest as running or running around, while adults might display these signs more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems staying still while listening to long conversations or reading an article.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also struggle with impulse control which could lead to taking risks, such as driving too fast or spending money on unnecessary items. They may also have trouble resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can lead to problems at home or at work. People with ADHD often have difficulty with organization. This makes it difficult to keep up with their bills or finances.
A medical professional will conduct an exhaustive evaluation to determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about the person's current functioning and review their medical, educational and developmental history. They may also interview family members and teachers to get more insight into a person's struggles.
A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for at least 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been present before the age 12 and affect multiple areas of a person’s life, such as their job, school or 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 medical and family history to determine if you have symptoms that fit these criteria. It is important that you are honest and open with your doctor about your symptoms since they cannot diagnose you without this information. Some doctors ask their patients to speak with family members -- spouses, parents or siblings, for instance- about the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person to gain a clear knowledge of the difficulties their loved one faces and can help strengthen the relationship in the future.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary depending on the situation, but they often look very similar to the behavior that was characteristic of the condition in childhood. A key difference is that adults tend to suffer from the condition in more complex ways than children and their symptoms can have a bigger impact on their work, social, and school life. For instance, adults with ADHD may not be in a position to manage their time as well as children and they may have difficulties finding jobs or maintaining relationships.
For diagnosis your doctor will conduct a thorough medical examination, which typically consists of an interview with you and any other important people in your life, a physical exam, and laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. Additionally to this, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires on the issues that have affected your life.
It is essential to take into account any comorbidities that adults with ADHD may have, such anxiety or depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse. If these conditions aren't treated, they can contribute to feelings of frustration and underachievement that are internalized as stress or anger. This can lead to an unending cycle of ADHD symptoms exacerbate the underlying comorbidities, which causes them to flare-up even more often. This can have a significant impact on your life quality and therefore it is essential to address the ADHD and comorbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
If a healthcare professional decides to determine if someone has ADHD typically, they conduct a psychological evaluation. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, including a full family medical history, and looking over documents. They will ask them to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms on scales of standardization and questionnaires.
Adults who seek a diagnosis for ADHD seek a diagnosis when they notice their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their life. Their work could suffer because of late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. adhd diagnosed may have difficulty with their relationships due to the fact that they cannot listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic due to the fact that they aren't paying attention to children or complete their chores.
It is important to recognize that many people who don't have ADHD experience the same symptoms. A variety of factors could cause similar problems, such as stress, mental health issues and physical ailments. Therefore it is essential to seek out a health care expert and take a thorough examination.
A psychological assessment will provide a detailed look into the person's history, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's parents or spouse or other family members to find out their opinions on the individual's behavior and how it affects their daily life.
In addition a mental health professional will evaluate the person with a series of standard tests that are designed to assess their 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 can be used to determine if an individual suffers from ADHD symptoms.
Sometimes mental health professionals recommend that a person participate in an experimental study to try out new treatments for ADHD. While taking part in a trial may be beneficial, you must be aware that these trials are designed to gather new knowledge in science and not to treat specific health issue. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, talk with your doctor or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD are struggling to stay in a stable state at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with daily tasks such as cleaning the home or remembering to schedule appointments and keep them, or getting their children ready for school. They might also have a difficult time staying on task in the workplace, and may appear agitated or "on-edge" when they are sitting at their desks.
Before diagnosing ADHD it is essential that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their effects on a person's life. Certain people suffer from ADHD-related issues in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others are only struggling with particular areas, such as work or relationships. The signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are all used in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD (Austerman, 2015).
A medical professional will conduct a thorough mental health evaluation and consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. Stress depression, mood disorders, and head injuries can all mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical ailments could cause similar symptoms. It's important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities like depression or anxiety. Untreated ADHD can result in these psychiatric conditions and can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator might also consider the family history of ADHD in order to determine if there's a genetic component. It is widely known that ADHD is mostly hereditary and research suggests that around 70%-80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is inherited. Other non-genetic factors that can contribute to the development of ADHD include a low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy, or being born prematurely.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can change your life. Some find it a relief to finally have an explanation for their difficulties. Others are relieved that they understand the root of their issues. In the past, the belief has been that only hyperactive boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has led to many women's symptoms being overlooked 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.