Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include a primary health care provider psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and number of symptoms, as well as the way they affect your everyday life. The symptoms must have been present from childhood and must be causing problems in more than one place, like school or at work.
Identifying the symptoms
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have suffered from symptoms for years. However, they might not have realized they suffered from a mental disorder. Some people are diagnosed when they notice their relationships or work performance are affected. A diagnosis can be a surprise, but it can also feel overwhelming for people at various stages of their lives.
Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adults include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. A person with ADHD might flutter their arms during a lecture or wait in the line. They may forget things easily, or have trouble finishing tasks on time. In addition, those with ADHD frequently have difficulty relaxing and can become frustrated and emotional easily.
In children, the signs of ADHD are more evident however, in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity may appear less obviously. For instance in children, hyperactivity may manifest as running or jumping around, but adults can display these symptoms more subduedly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. Additionally, they might have difficulty sitting still during long conversations or while reading an article.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have difficulty in controlling their impulses which could lead to taking risks, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They may also have difficulty resisting the urge to buy something and delaying their satisfaction. This can lead to problems at home or work. People with ADHD typically have issues with organization. This can make it difficult for them to keep up with their bills or finances.
A health professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine whether an individual has ADHD. They will look at a person's developmental, medical and educational history, and inquire about their current functioning. They may also speak with relatives as well as teachers or employers to get more insight into the struggles of a person.
A person must have multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have manifested before the age of 12, and they should affect a number of areas of a person's daily life, such as school, work or their 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 review your medical as well as family and work histories to identify symptoms that meet these criteria. During this process, you is important to be open and honest with your health care provider about your problems because they can't diagnose you without that information. Some doctors will ask their patients to speak with loved ones, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, for example -regarding the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This helps the person who isn't diagnosed with ADHD gain a better understanding of the issues their loved ones face and may help the relationship in the future.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them have a lot in common with the behaviors that characterize the condition in childhood. The main difference is that adults often experience their symptoms in more intricate ways than children do and their symptoms can have a greater impact on their work, social, and school life. Adults with ADHD might not be able to manage their time in the like children and might have trouble maintaining relationships 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 and a physical examination and laboratory tests. Additionally, you and your family members will be asked to complete 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 depression or anxiety, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. These disorders can lead to feelings of frustration or unfulfillment that are interpreted as chronic anger or stress. This can create a vicious circle where the symptoms that are not treated for ADHD increase the severity of the underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare up more often. This can have a profound effect on your quality of life, which is why it is crucial to treat both co-morbidities as well as the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological evaluation is typically conducted by a health care specialist to determine if a person has ADHD. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, including a full medical history of the family, as well as reviewing documents. They will ask them to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will ask the person to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD seek a diagnosis when they realize that 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 could be having issues in their relationships if they can't listen or wait their turn. Their home life may be chaotic because they fail to keep up with chores or take care of their children.
It is crucial to remember that many people without ADHD also experience some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health problems and physical ailments may all trigger similar symptoms. Therefore it is essential to seek out a health care professional and to take a thorough examination.
A psychological evaluation will involve an in-depth look at the person's history, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may also want to speak to the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to get their opinion on the person's behavior and how it affects their daily functioning.
Additionally, a mental health professional will evaluate the person by using a set of standardized tests that are designed to assess their cognitive capabilities. These might include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can determine if a person has ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals may suggest that a person participate in a study to determine whether or not they are ADHD-prone. While participating in a trial can be beneficial, it is important to be aware that these studies are primarily designed to gain new information in the field of science, not to treat particular health issues. If you're interested in knowing more, consult your doctor or visit NIMH Clinical Trials.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD are struggling to keep their balance at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and completing appointments or getting their children ready for school. They may also have a difficult time keeping their work on track, and they often seem uneasy or "on edge" while sitting in the office.
It's important for a doctor to consider the various symptoms and how they impact the life of a person prior to making a diagnosis of ADHD. There are people who have problems with ADHD in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others are only struggling with specific areas like work or relationships. Symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all included in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD (Austerman 2015).
A health professional will conduct an extensive mental health assessment and consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. For example stress, head injuries, mood disorders and certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical conditions could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It's important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities like anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD can lead to these psychiatric disorders and can cause the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator will take a look at the family history of ADHD to see if there is a genetic cause. Research has shown that up to 80% of ADHD risk is caused by genetics. Low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy and premature birth are all non-genetic factors that can cause ADHD.
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