Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care provider can diagnose ADHD. This could include the primary care physician, psychiatrist or psychologist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and quantity of symptoms, as well as how they impact daily life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and cause impairment in multiple settings, such as school or work.
Identifying the symptoms
Many people who receive a diagnosis of ADHD have suffered from their symptoms for years but might not be aware that they suffer from a mental health condition. Many people receive a diagnosis when they notice that their work performance is declining or their relationships are struggling. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but can be a bit overwhelming for people at different stages of their lives.
The most frequent symptoms of ADHD in adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. People suffering from ADHD might flutter their arms when they are listening to a lecture or waiting in the line. They may forget things easily, or have trouble finishing tasks on time. People suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily.
In children, signs of ADHD are more evident, but in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity may not be as obvious. For instance when children are hyperactive, it may manifest as running and jumping around, but adults may exhibit these symptoms more subduedly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have difficulty sitting still when listening to long conversations or reading a book.
Adults with ADHD can also have problems with impulse control. This can lead to risky behavior, such as driving too fast or spending money on unneeded things. They may also have trouble resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can lead to issues at home or work. People with ADHD typically have issues in organising their lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep up with their finances or bills.
A health professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine whether an individual is suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about the person's present functioning and review their medical, educational and developmental history. They may also speak with relatives and teachers to get more insight into the challenges a person faces.
A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for at least 12 months to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been evident before the age of 12 and they should affect a number of areas of a person's life, such as school, work, 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 go over your personal, family medical and work histories to determine whether your symptoms meet these requirements. 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 ask their patients to talk with loved ones -- spouses, parents, or siblings, for instance -to discuss the effects of ADHD-related behavior on their lives. This can help the person who is not diagnosed with ADHD to gain a clear understanding of the challenges their loved ones face. It also could help their relationship in the future.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary depending on the situation, but they often appear very similar to the behaviors that characterized the condition in childhood. Adults usually suffer from ADHD in a more complex way than children, and these symptoms can have an impact on their work, school and social life. Adults with ADHD might not be able to manage their time the like children and may have difficulty maintaining relationships or finding an employment.
Your doctor will perform a clinical evaluation to diagnose ADHD. This involves an interview with yourself and any significant individuals in your life, a physical exam, and laboratory tests. In addition to this, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected your life.
When evaluating adults suffering from ADHD as a group, it is important to take into consideration any comorbidities they may have, such as anxiety or depression that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these conditions aren't addressed, they may contribute to feelings of frustration and low performance which are absorbed as chronic stress or anger. This can result in an unending cycle of ADHD symptoms exacerbate the underlying comorbidities, which causes them to flare up more often. This can have a profound effect on your quality of life, so it is important to treat both the complicacies and the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
When a doctor is trying to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD typically, they conduct a psychological examination. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, a complete medical history of the family, and examining documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They will ask the person to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD do so when they observe that their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their life. Their work might be affected due to late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They may have problems in their relationships if they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic because they aren't paying attention to their children or manage their chores.
It is important to remember that many people with ADHD also experience some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical illnesses can all cause similar symptoms. diagnosing adhd in adults is important to seek the advice of an expert and get a thorough examination.
A psychological assessment may also include a detailed look at the person's background, including their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's spouse, parents or other relatives close to them to find out their perspective on how the person's behavior have affected their daily life and relationships.
In addition, a mental health professional will assess the individual by using a set of standardized tests that measure their cognitive abilities. These tests could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) and the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale (HPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF). These tests can determine if an individual suffers from ADHD symptoms.
Sometimes, mental health professionals will recommend that a person participate in an experimental study to test new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a clinical trial could be beneficial, it is important to understand that the main purpose of these studies is to gain new scientific knowledge and not to treat a specific health issue. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, speak with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD struggle to stay in a stable state at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with the daily chores like cleaning the home, remembering and keeping appointments or getting kids ready for school. They might also have a difficult time staying on task in the workplace, and are often seen as agitated or "on-edge" when they sit at their desk.
It is essential for a doctor to take into consideration the various symptoms and how they impact the life of a person prior to making an assessment of ADHD. Some people struggle with ADHD in many areas of their lives, while others have only one problem like 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 an extensive mental health assessment and take into account other factors that can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. Stress and mood disorders, as well as head injuries can mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical conditions may cause similar symptoms. It is also crucial to determine if a person suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD can lead to these psychiatric conditions, and they may make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator can also look into the family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic component. Research has shown that up to 80 percent of ADHD risk is inherited. Other factors that are not genetic and could contribute to developing ADHD include low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy or birth prematurely.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. For some, it provides a concrete explanation for their difficulties and for others, it brings relief that they now know the reason behind their struggles. In the past, the belief was that only boys who are hyperactive are diagnosed with ADHD, and this belief has led to many women's symptoms being omitted for far too long. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and to share her personal experiences as an ADHD woman.