Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care professional is able to diagnose ADHD. This could include an primary care physician psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatrist.
A diagnosis of ADHD is dependent on the amount and severity of symptoms and how they impact daily life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must cause impairment in multiple settings like work or school.
Identifying signs
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD have been suffering from their symptoms for years but might not realize that they suffer from a mental health issue. Others get a diagnosis after they discover that their work performance is declining or their relationships are strained. A diagnosis can be a revelation but it can also be a source of anxiety for those at different stages of life.
Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of attention. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD may flitter around in their seat while they listen to a lecture at work or struggle to wait their turn in the line. They might also have trouble getting their work done on time or losing things easily. Those with ADHD may also have a difficult time relaxing and become frustrated and emotionally easily.
In children, signs of ADHD are more evident, but in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity might not be apparent. For children, hyperactivity could manifest in running and jumping and jumping, while adults can exhibit these signs by shifting their weight or tapping on their feet. In addition, they could have difficulty sitting still for long conversations or reading the book.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have issues with control of their impulses. This could lead to risky behaviours like driving too fast or spending money on unnecessary items. They may also find it difficult to resist temptation and defergratification, which can lead to problems at home or at work. People with ADHD typically have issues with organization. This can make it difficult to keep track with their finances or bills.
A medical professional will conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if a person has ADHD. They will ask about the person's current performance and examine their medical and educational history as well as developmental. They may also speak to teachers, family members, or employers in order to better understand the person's struggles.
A person must have multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must be present before the age 12 and affect multiple aspects of a person's life, including their job, 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 examine your medical as well as family and work histories to identify symptoms that fit these criteria. It is essential to be honest and transparent with your doctor about your symptoms since they are unable to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors request their patients to interview loved ones, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, for example -regarding the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This could help the person who is not suffering from ADHD gain a better understanding of the challenges their loved ones are facing. It can also enhance the relationship between them.
ADHD symptoms in adults could differ based on the circumstances however, they are usually very similar to the symptoms that characterize ADHD in childhood. Adults often suffer from ADHD symptoms in a different way than children, and these symptoms can have more impact on their work, school and social life. Adults with ADHD might not be able to manage their time the like children and might have trouble keeping relationships in place or finding an employment.
Your doctor will conduct an examination to determine if you have ADHD. This involves an interview with yourself and any significant individuals in your life as well as a physical exam and laboratory tests. Additionally, you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected you in your life.
When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD in the same way, it's important to take into consideration any comorbid conditions they might have, such as depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders are not treated, they could lead to feelings of frustration and low performance that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to an endless cycle of untreated ADHD symptoms exacerbate the underlying comorbidities and cause flare-ups to occur more frequently. This can have a major impact on your quality-of-life, so it's important to treat the ADHD and comorbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological evaluation is typically conducted by a health care specialist to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, a complete medical history of the family, and reviewing documents. They will ask the patient to explain their symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms on scales of rating and questionnaires that are standardised.
Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD when they notice their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their life. Their work might suffer because of missed deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They might struggle in their relationships because they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic because they don't pay attention to children or complete their chores.
It is important to keep in mind that many people who do not have ADHD also experience some of these symptoms. A variety of factors could cause similar issues, such as stress, mental health issues and physical illnesses. In this regard, it is important to seek out a health care expert and conduct a thorough evaluation.
A psychological assessment may also provide a thorough analysis of the person's history, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also want to speak with the person's spouse, parents or other close relatives to get their perspectives about how the person's actions have affected their daily life and relationships.
Additionally a mental health professional will evaluate the person with a series of standard tests designed to measure their cognitive capabilities. These might include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale, the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests will help to determine whether or not an individual is suffering from ADHD.
Sometimes mental health professionals may suggest that a person take part in a clinical trial to try out new treatments for ADHD. While participating in adhd diagnosis adults could be beneficial, it is important to recognize that the main purpose of these studies is to acquire new scientific knowledge, not to treat a specific health issue. If you are interested in knowing more about clinical trials, consult with your doctor or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults seeking a diagnosis of ADHD struggle to keep their balance at home or at work. They may be struggling to keep up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and keeping appointments or getting their children ready for school. They might also have trouble staying on task at work and often appear uneasy or "on edge" when sitting in the office.
It is essential for a doctor to look at all of these symptoms and how they impact the life of a person prior to making an assessment of ADHD. Some people have ADHD in many areas of their lives, whereas others have a single issue such as work or relationships. The criteria to diagnose ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
A health professional will conduct an exhaustive mental health evaluation and consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. For example stress and head injuries, mood disorders, certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical ailments can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is also crucial to determine whether a person has comorbidities such as anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD could lead to these psychiatric conditions and may cause the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator will take a look at the family history of ADHD to determine whether there is a genetic element. Research has shown that up to 80 percent of ADHD risk is passed down through the family. Other factors that are not genetic and could contribute to developing ADHD include low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy or birth prematurely.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life-altering experience. For some, it offers an explanation for their issues, while others feel relief that they know what's causing their challenges. This belief led to women's symptoms not being taken seriously for too long. This is the reason 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.