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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include a primary health care provider, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, and the way they affect your everyday life. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one environment like school or at work.
Identifying signs
Many adults who receive a diagnosis of ADHD have suffered from their symptoms for a long time, but they may not know that they suffer from a mental health condition. Other people receive a diagnosis when they notice their relationships or work productivity are being affected. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but can also be overwhelming for those at different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are some of the most frequent ADHD symptoms among adults. People suffering from ADHD might be distracted during an audio lecture or waiting in line. They might also have trouble working on their tasks in time or forgetting things quickly. Additionally, people with ADHD often have trouble calming down and may become angry and emotional easily.
ADHD symptoms are more apparent in children, whereas hyperactivity and impulsivity can be less apparent in adults. For example when children are hyperactive, it can manifest as running and jumping around, but adults might display these signs more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They may also have trouble sitting still when listening to an extended conversation or reading the book.
Adults with ADHD may also have issues with control of their impulses. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too fast or spending money on unneeded things. They might also have trouble resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can cause problems at home or at work. People with ADHD also have issues with organization, which can make it difficult for them to keep track of their finances or their bills.
A health professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether an individual is suffering from ADHD. They will review the person's medical, developmental and educational background and inquire regarding their current functioning. They may also interview family members, teachers or employers to gain a better understanding of the struggles of a person.
A diagnosis of ADHD requires that the person suffers from multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must have been present prior to the age of 12 and must affect several aspects of a person's life, including their school, job 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 and family histories to identify symptoms that match these criteria. It is essential that you are honest and open with your doctor about your symptoms, as they are unable to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask their patients to speak with family members -- spouses, parents or siblings, for instance- about the effects of ADHD-related behavior 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.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them have a lot in common with the behaviors that characterized the condition during childhood. One of the main differences is that adults often experience their symptoms in more complicated ways than children and their symptoms can have a greater impact on their social, work and school life. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not be able to manage their time in the same way as children and might have trouble maintaining relationships or obtaining an employment.
The doctor will conduct an evaluation of your clinical condition to determine ADHD. This includes an interview with you and any significant individuals in your life, a physical exam, and laboratory tests. Additionally you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires about symptoms that have affected your life.
When evaluating adults suffering from ADHD in the same way, it's important to consider any comorbid conditions they might suffer from, like anxiety or depression, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these conditions aren't addressed, they may contribute to feelings of frustration and low performance that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can result in a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms exacerbate underlying comorbidities, causing flare-ups to occur more often. This can have a huge impact on your daily life, so it's important to treat the ADHD and the co-morbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological assessment is typically performed by a healthcare provider to determine if someone has ADHD. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, a complete medical history of the family, and looking over documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how it affects their daily life. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales and questionnaires.
Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD seek a diagnosis when they notice their symptoms impacting different aspects of their life. Their work might suffer because of the lack of deadlines or a poor performance in meetings. They may have difficulty in their relationships because they cannot listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic because they don't pay attention to their children or manage their chores.
It is important to recognize that many people who do not have ADHD suffer from similar symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms. It is important to seek out the advice of an expert and have a thorough assessment.
A psychological evaluation will include an in-depth examination of the person's history, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may be able to talk to the person's spouse, parents or other relatives close to them to find out their perspective about how the person's actions affect their daily lives and relationships.
A mental health professional may also employ a series of standardized tests to measure the person's cognitive abilities. They could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale, the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can determine if an individual suffers from ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals may recommend that a person take part in a study to determine whether they are hyperactive. While participating in a clinical study may be beneficial, it is important to understand that the primary purpose of these studies is to acquire new scientific knowledge, not to treat a specific health issue. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, consult with your doctor or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
adult diagnosis of adhd seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain their stability at workplace or at home. They may have trouble keeping up with everyday tasks such as cleaning the home or remembering to make and keep appointments, or getting their children ready for school. They might also have trouble working on time, and they often seem restless or "on edge" when they are in the office.
It is essential for a doctor to look at all these symptoms and how they affect the person's life prior to making an assessment of ADHD. Some people have ADHD in many areas of their lives, whereas others have a single issue like relationships or work. The criteria for diagnosing ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
A medical professional will conduct a thorough 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 and certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical conditions may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities like anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD may result in these psychiatric conditions, which can make ADHD symptoms worse.
The evaluator can also look into the family history of ADHD to determine if there's an inheritance component. It's well known that ADHD is largely inherited, and research suggests that around 70%-80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. Low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy, and premature birth are all non-genetic factors that can cause ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. For some, it gives a concrete explanation for their difficulties and for others, it brings relief that they know the root of their problems. The traditional belief has been that only hyperactive little boys can be diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has led to many women's symptoms being overlooked for far too long. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.
