Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include an primary care physician, psychiatrist or psychologist.
A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as how they impact everyday life. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one setting like school or work.
Identifying the Symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for many years. But, they may not have realized that they suffered from a mental illness. Others receive a diagnosis when they notice their relationships or work performance are suffering. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but it can be a bit overwhelming for those at different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are among the most frequent ADHD symptoms in adults. Someone who suffers from ADHD may fidget during a lecture or waiting in the line. They might also have trouble finishing tasks on time or forgetting things easily. In addition, those with ADHD often have trouble relaxing and can become frustrated and emotional quickly.
In children, signs of ADHD are more obvious however, in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity might not be apparent. For example in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and jumping around, whereas adults might display these signs more subduedly through shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They may also have trouble sitting still when listening to an extended 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 things. They might also have difficulty in deciding whether to resist temptation and defergratification, which can lead to issues at home or at work. People with ADHD often have difficulty in organising their lives. This could make it difficult to keep track with their bills or finances.
A health care professional will conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine if a person has ADHD. They will look at the person's medical, developmental and educational background and inquire regarding their current functioning. They might also talk to relatives, teachers or employers to gain an understanding of the struggles of a person.
A diagnosis of ADHD requires that a person has multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must be present before the age 12 and have an impact on several aspects of a person's life, such as their work, school, 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 review your family, personal medical, and work history to identify symptoms that match these criteria. It is essential that you are honest and open with your doctor regarding your symptoms since they are unable to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors ask patients to ask family members, like parents, spouses, or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behavior has on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person gain a better understanding of the issues 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 look very similar to the behaviors that characterized the condition in childhood. Adults often suffer from ADHD symptoms in a more complicated manner than children, and their symptoms have more impact on their work, school and social life. For instance, people with ADHD might not be capable of managing their time like children, and they may have difficulties finding jobs or maintaining relationships.
For diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a thorough medical evaluation, which typically includes an interview with you and any other significant people in your life, a physical examination and laboratory tests to rule out any other medical issues that can affect ADHD. You and your family members will be required to complete questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected you.
It is essential to take into account any comorbid disorders that adults with ADHD might have, like anxiety or depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse. These conditions can trigger feelings of frustration or underachievement that are interpreted as stress or anger that is persistent. This can create an endless cycle of untreated ADHD symptoms can worsen the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare up more often. This can have a huge impact on your quality-of-life and therefore it is essential to treat the ADHD and the other comorbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological evaluation is usually performed by a healthcare provider to determine if someone has ADHD. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, an exhaustive family medical history and an extensive review of the documents. They will ask them to describe their symptoms and how it affects their daily life. They will ask the person to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults who seek a diagnosis for ADHD do so when they observe that their symptoms are affecting different aspects of their lives. They might not be able to be effective in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They could have issues with their relationships if they are unable to pay attention or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic due to the fact that they aren't paying attention to their children or manage their chores.
It is important to remember that many people without ADHD also experience certain symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments may all trigger similar symptoms. In this regard, it is important to consult a health care professional and to undergo a thorough assessment.
A psychological assessment may also provide a thorough analysis of the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also want to speak with the person's spouse, parents or other relatives close to them to get their perspectives on how the person's behavior have affected their daily life and relationships.
A mental health professional could also utilize a set of tests that are standardised to gauge the person's cognitive abilities. 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 help determine if a person has ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals may suggest that a person participate in a study to determine if he or she is ADHD-prone. Although participating in a trial can be beneficial, it is important to be aware that these trials are designed to gather new information in the field of science, not to treat any specific health issue. If you are 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 a diagnosis of ADHD are struggling to maintain stability at home or at work. They may have difficulty keeping up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and completing appointments or getting their children ready for school. They might also have trouble staying on task at work, and they often seem uneasy or "on edge" when sitting in the office.
It's important for a doctor to look at the various symptoms and how they affect the life of a person prior to making an assessment of ADHD. Some people have ADHD throughout their lives, while others have a single issue like relationships or work. The criteria for diagnosing ADHD include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
A health professional will conduct an exhaustive mental health evaluation and will consider other factors that can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. For example, stress depression, head injuries, mood disorders, certain medications, thyroid conditions, and other physical ailments could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It's important to determine if a person suffers from comorbidities like anxiety or depression. If IamPsychiatry , ADHD may cause psychiatric disorders and can make ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator can also look into the family history of ADHD to determine if there's a genetic component. It is well-known that ADHD is largely heritable, and research suggests that 70% to 80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. Other factors that are not genetic and could cause the development of ADHD include a low birth weight and exposure to toxins during pregnancy or birth prematurely.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life altering event. Some find it a relief to finally understand the reason for their difficulties. Some are relieved they understand what is causing their issues. The traditional belief has been that only hyperactive boys are diagnosed with ADHD, and this belief has led to 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 about ADHD and share her experiences as an ADHD woman.