Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include an primary care physician psychiatrist, psychologist or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as how they affect everyday life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one environment, such as school or work.
Identifying symptoms
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD have been suffering from their symptoms for a long time but might not realize that they have a mental health issue. Others receive a diagnosis when they notice their relationships or work performance are being affected. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be overwhelming for people in different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are some of the most prevalent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. For example, someone suffering from ADHD may flitter around in their chair while they listen to an audio lecture at work or struggle to wait for their turn in line. They might also have trouble working on their tasks in time or losing things easily. People with ADHD may also have a difficult time relaxing and become frustrated and emotionally easily.
ADHD symptoms are more evident in children, whereas the impulsivity and hyperactivity may be less evident in adults. For example when children are hyperactive, it may manifest as running and jumping around, whereas adults can display these symptoms more subduedly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In addition, they could be unable to remain still during long conversations or reading a book.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also struggle with impulse control, which can lead to risk-taking behaviors such as driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They might also have difficulty in deciding whether to resist temptation and delay gratification, which can lead to problems at home or at work. People with ADHD also have issues with organization, which could make it difficult to keep track of their finances or their bills.
A medical professional will perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine if someone has ADHD. They will inquire about the person's current performance and review their medical background, educational and developmental history. They might also talk to relatives and teachers to gain an understanding of the struggles of a person.
A diagnosis of ADHD is when an individual has multiple symptoms for at least 12 months. The symptoms must have been present before the age 12 and must affect several aspects of a person's life such as their job, school 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 review your medical as well as family and work history to determine if you have symptoms that match these criteria. In this process, it is important to be open and honest with your doctor about your concerns since they won't be able to diagnose you without the information. Some doctors request their patients to speak with family members -- spouses, parents or siblings, for instance -to discuss the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This can help the non-ADHD individual get a better understanding of the challenges their loved ones face. It can also enhance the relationship between them.
ADHD symptoms in adults could vary depending on the situation but they are generally identical to those that characterize ADHD in childhood. Adults typically experience their ADHD symptoms in a different way than children, and their symptoms have an impact on their school, work and social life. For instance, adults with ADHD may not be able to manage their time as well as children and they may experience more difficulty finding jobs or maintaining relationships.
To determine the diagnosis the doctor will conduct a thorough clinical evaluation, which typically includes an interview with you and any other significant people in your life, a physical exam and laboratory tests to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. In addition you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected you in your life.
It is essential to take into account any comorbidities that adults with ADHD may suffer from, for example depression or anxiety. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse. If these disorders are not treated, they can contribute to feelings of frustration and low performance that are internalized as stress or anger. This can create a vicious circle where the symptoms that are not treated for ADHD can exacerbate the underlying comorbidities, causing them to recur more often. This can have a major effect on your quality of life, making it crucial to treat both comorbidities and the ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychological assessment is typically performed by a health care provider to determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. This involves a thorough discussion with the patient, complete medical history of the family and an extensive review of medical records. They will ask the patient to explain their symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They will ask the person to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.
Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD often do so because they notice that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. They may be unable to do well in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They could be having issues in their relationships if they can't listen or wait 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 recognize that many people who do not have ADHD have similar symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments may cause similar symptoms. In this regard, it is important to seek out a health care professional and to take a thorough examination.
I Am Psychiatry UK will 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 parents, spouse, or other close relatives to obtain their perspective about how the person's actions affect their daily lives and relationships.
A mental health professional may also utilize a set of standardized tests to measure the person's cognitive abilities. These tests could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS), the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale (HPRS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF). These tests can help determine if an individual has ADHD symptoms.
Mental health professionals may recommend that a person take part in a trial to test whether or not they are susceptible to ADHD. While participating in a clinical trial could be beneficial, it is important to understand that the primary goal of these studies is to obtain new scientific knowledge, not to treat a specific health problem. If you're interested to learn more, consult your doctor or visit NIMH Clinical Trials.
Social Evaluation
Many adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD are struggling to stay in a stable state at home or at work. They may have trouble keeping up with daily tasks like cleaning the house or remembering to make appointments and keep them or getting their children ready for school. They may also have a difficult time working on time, and they often seem uneasy or "on edge" when they are in the office.
Before determining ADHD it is crucial that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their impact on a person's daily life. Some people have ADHD in a variety of areas of their lives, whereas others have only one problem like work or relationships. Signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are all used in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD (Austerman 2015).
A health professional will perform an extensive mental assessment and also consider other elements that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD. Stress and mood disorders, as well as head injuries can all mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical conditions may also cause similar symptoms. It is important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD could lead to these psychiatric disorders and can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator might also consider the family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic cause. It's well known that ADHD is largely heritable, and research suggests that about 70% to 80% of the risk for developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. A low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy, and premature birth are all non-genetic factors that contribute to ADHD.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life altering experience. For some, it provides an explanation for their struggles and others feel relieved that they know the root of their problems. Historically, the myth was that only hyperactive little boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this assumption has led to many women's symptoms being ignored for a long time. 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.