Diagnosing ADHD in Adults

A health care professional is able to diagnose ADHD. This could be the primary health care provider psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the number and severity of symptoms and how they impact daily life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and cause impairment in multiple settings like school or at work.

Identifying Symptoms

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for years. However, they may not have realized they suffered from a mental disorder. Other people receive a diagnosis when they realize that their relationships or their work performance are being affected. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be overwhelming for people at different stages of their lives.

Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are some of the most frequent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. For example, someone who suffers from ADHD may flitter around in their seat while they listen to an audio lecture at work or have trouble waiting for their turn in line. They may forget things easily, or have trouble finishing tasks within the timeframe. Additionally, people with ADHD often have trouble calming down and may become frustrated and emotionally tense easily.

ADHD symptoms are more evident in children, whereas the impulsivity and hyperactivity may be less evident in adults. For example, in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and running around, while adults can display these symptoms more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems sitting still when listening to an extended conversation or reading an article.

Adults suffering from ADHD may also experience issues with control of their impulses. This can lead to risky behavior, such as driving too fast or spending money on unneeded items. They might also have a hard time resisting the urge to buy something and delaying their satisfaction. This can lead to issues at home or work. People with ADHD also often have trouble organizing their lives, which can make it difficult to keep track of their finances or their bills.

A health professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if a person has ADHD. They will review the person's medical, developmental and educational background and ask questions about their current functioning. They may also speak to family members, teachers, or employers in order to better understand the person's challenges.

A diagnosis of ADHD requires that a person has multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 and have an impact on several areas of one's life such as 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 look over your personal, family medical and work histories to determine if you have symptoms that meet these guidelines. It is important to be honest and open with your doctor regarding your symptoms, as they cannot diagnose you without this information. Some doctors suggest that patients interview family members, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behavior has on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person to gain a clear knowledge of the difficulties their loved one faces and can help strengthen the relationship in the near future.

ADHD symptoms in adults may differ based on the circumstances however, they are usually identical to those that characterized ADHD in childhood. A key difference is that adults tend to experience their symptoms in more complicated ways than children do, and their symptoms have a bigger impact on their work, social and school lives. For instance, adults who have ADHD might not be able to manage their time as well as children and they might have more trouble finding work or maintaining relationships.

Your doctor will conduct an examination to determine if you have ADHD. This will include an interview with yourself and any significant people in your life and a physical examination and laboratory tests. You and your family members will be required to fill out questionnaires regarding symptoms that have affected you.

It is important to take into account any comorbidities that people with ADHD may have, such anxiety or depression. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse. These disorders can cause feelings of anger or frustration, which are internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms can worsen underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare-up even more frequently. This can have a significant effect on your quality of life, making it crucial to treat both co-morbidities as well as the ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

If a healthcare professional wants to determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological assessment. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, a complete medical history of the family, as well as reviewing documents. They will ask the person to explain their symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They will then ask the person to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.

Adults who seek an assessment for diagnosing ADHD in adults ADHD often do so due to the fact that their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their lives. Their work may suffer because of the lack of deadlines or a poor performance in meetings. They may struggle in their relationships as they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic due to the fact that they aren't paying attention to their children or keep up with their chores.

It is important to note that many people who do not have private adhd diagnosis suffer from similar symptoms. A variety of factors could cause similar problems, including stress, other mental health issues, and physical ailments. As a result it is essential to seek out a health care expert and conduct a thorough evaluation.

A psychological evaluation will involve a detailed look into the person's past, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may be able to talk to the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to find out their opinions on the individual's behavior and how it has affected their daily functioning.

A mental health professional could also employ a series of standard tests to assess the person's cognitive abilities. These tests can 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 can help determine if a person has ADHD symptoms.

Sometimes mental health professionals may suggest that a person take part in clinical trials to try out new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a trial can be beneficial, it is important to be aware that these trials are primarily designed to gain new scientific information and not to treat any particular health issues. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, speak with your doctor or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.

Social Evaluation

Many adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain stability in their home or work environment. They may have trouble keeping up with everyday tasks like cleaning the house or remembering to make appointments and keep them or getting their children ready for school. They might also have difficulty staying focused in the workplace and may appear agitated or "on-edge" when they are sitting at their desk.

Before diagnosing ADHD it is crucial that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their impact on a person's everyday life. Some people have ADHD in a variety of areas of their lives, whereas others are only affected by one issue like work or relationships. The criteria for diagnosing ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.

A health care professional will perform a thorough mental evaluation and consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. For instance, stress and head injuries, mood disorders and thyroid issues, certain medications, and other physical ailments may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to determine if a person suffers from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. If untreated, ADHD can lead to these psychiatric disorders and could make ADHD symptoms worse.

The evaluator may also examine the family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic component. Research shows that up to 80% of ADHD risk is caused by genetics. The birth weight of the baby is low, as well as exposure to toxins during pregnancy and premature birth are all non-genetic causes that contribute to ADHD.

Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life-changing moment. Many people are relieved to finally find a reason for their struggles. Others are relieved they understand what is causing their problems. Historically, the myth was that only hyperactive boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has led to women's symptoms being overlooked 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 personal experiences as an ADHD woman.