Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care provider can diagnose ADHD. This could be the primary health care provider psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The
diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as how they impact everyday life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and be causing impairment in more than one place, like school or work.
Identifying symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for many years. However, they might not have realized they had a mental illness. Some people are diagnosed when they realize that their relationships or their work performance are suffering. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but can also be overwhelming for people at different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are among the most common ADHD symptoms in adults. People with ADHD might be distracted while listening to an audio lecture or waiting in line. They might forget things easily, or struggle to finish tasks in time. Those with ADHD can also have difficulty getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily.
In children, the signs of ADHD are more obvious, but in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity may appear less obviously. For example, in children, hyperactivity may manifest as running or jumping around, whereas adults might display these signs more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems being still during a long conversation or reading a book.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have issues with control of their impulses. This can lead to risky behaviors like driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary things. They may be unable to resist temptation and delay the gratification, which can lead to problems at home or at work. People with ADHD often have difficulty with organization. This could make it difficult to keep track with their finances or bills.
A health professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if an individual is suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about the person's present functioning and look over their medical and educational history as well as developmental. They may also interview relatives and teachers to get more insight into the struggles of a person.
A person must have multiple symptoms for at least 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 and have an impact on several areas of a person’s life, including their school, job 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 go over your family, personal medical, and work history to determine if you have symptoms that satisfy these criteria. It is important to be honest and transparent with your doctor about your symptoms since they will not be able to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask patients to interview family members, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behavior has on their lives. This will help the person with no ADHD gain a better understanding of the challenges that their loved ones are facing. It could also help improve the relationship between them.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary depending on the situation, but they often have a lot in common with the behaviors that characterized the condition during childhood. A key difference is that adults tend to suffer from their symptoms in more complex ways than children, and their symptoms have a bigger impact on their work, social and school lives. For instance, adults with ADHD might not be capable of managing their time like children, and they might have more difficulty finding jobs or maintaining relationships.
For the purpose of diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a thorough medical examination, which typically consists of an interview with you and any other significant people in your life, a physical exam, and laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. Additionally, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires about symptoms that have affected your life.
It is crucial to take into account any comorbid conditions that people with ADHD may have, such anxiety or depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse. If these conditions aren't treated, they could lead to feelings of anger and frustration that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to a vicious circle where the untreated symptoms of ADHD exacerbate the underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare up even more often. This can have a major impact on your daily life and therefore it is essential to address the ADHD and comorbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
If a healthcare professional is trying to determine if a patient has ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological evaluation. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, an exhaustive medical history of the family, and an extensive review of medical records. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms using scales of rating and questionnaires that are standardised.
Adults who seek a diagnosis for ADHD seek a diagnosis when they observe that their symptoms impacting different aspects of their lives. They might not be able to be effective in meetings or meet deadlines at work. They may struggle with their relationships due to the fact that they cannot listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic because they don't pay attention to their children or keep up with their chores.
It is important to keep in mind that many people
Who can diagnose add in adults do not have ADHD have some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health problems and physical ailments can all cause similar symptoms. It is crucial to seek the advice of an expert and have a thorough assessment.
A psychological evaluation will include an in-depth look at the person's past, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also wish to talk with the person's parents, spouse, or other family members to
get diagnosed for adhd their perspectives on how the person's behaviors affect their daily lives and relationships.
A mental health professional may also employ a series of standard tests to assess the person's cognitive abilities. These tests could 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 will help to determine if the person has symptoms of ADHD.
Mental health professionals might recommend that a person take part in a trial to test whether they are susceptible to ADHD. While participating in a clinical study may be beneficial, it is important to recognize that the main purpose of these studies is to obtain new knowledge in science, not to treat a specific health problem. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, consult with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek a diagnosis of
adhd in adults diagnostic criteria struggle to keep their balance at home or at work. They may have difficulty keeping up with daily tasks like cleaning the house, remembering and keeping appointments, or
getting diagnosed with add as an adult children ready for school. They may also have difficulty staying on task at work and often appear restless or "on edge" when sitting in the office.
It's important for a doctor to take into consideration the various symptoms and how they impact the life of a person prior to making the diagnosis of ADHD. Certain people suffer from ADHD throughout their lives, while others are only affected by one issue like work or relationships. The signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are all considered in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Austerman, 2015).
A health professional will perform an extensive mental assessment and also consider other elements that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD. For instance, stress, mood disorders, head injuries and certain thyroid disorders, medications, and other physical ailments may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is also essential to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD can result in these psychiatric disorders and can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator will take a look at the family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic cause. It is widely known that ADHD is mostly hereditary and research suggests that about 70% to 80% of the risk for developing ADHD is inherited. Other non-genetic factors that could cause the development of ADHD include a low birth weight and exposure to toxins during pregnancy, or being born prematurely.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood could alter your life. For some, it gives an explanation for their struggles and for others, it brings relief knowing the root of their problems. In the past, the belief was that only hyperactive little boys can be
diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has resulted in 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.