Diagnosing Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD is more difficult to identify than ADHD in children. The majority of symptom checklists for children are not useful for adults.

A thorough evaluation with psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is often required. It is possible to review past school or work records. Family members, friends, and coworkers members can also benefit from counseling.

Signs and symptoms

ADHD can cause issues at school and at work. They have trouble keeping on top of their work and completing deadlines. They frequently lose things and forget appointments and medical instructions. They can also be impulsive and risk their health by skipping meals or avoiding medication they need. They also tend to overreact to stress and have a difficult time focusing on conversations or "reading" the behavior and moods of others.

Those with ADHD are unable to stay on task and can easily get bored with monotonous tasks. They are prone to daydreaming or "zoning out" without realizing and especially when other people are talking. They tend to be inactive and don't respond to questions, making them seem indifferent or aloof. They may have difficulty following instructions and remembering details. This can lead to mistakes or work that is not completed. They may also get bored quickly and want to try new challenges or activities.

Adults with ADHD have difficulty in relationships and often feel they can't keep up with friends and family. They have trouble with managing money and this can result in impulsive spending and mounting debt. Failure to follow the rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines can affect their job. They may also not be able to manage their time effectively and frequently leave work before they are done. They might have difficulty getting to get along with their coworkers and supervisors because of their erratic tempers and inability to listen to other people.

In contrast to the rambunctious, hyperactive children seen in classrooms, adults who suffer from ADHD rarely exhibit obvious physical signs of activity, like tapping their feet or fidgeting. Their restlessness can be subtler like constantly checking their watches or having trouble sitting down during the course of a meeting. Their sloppy and disorganized work habits can lead to job loss as well as financial problems.

A person who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD should visit a primary care doctor. The doctor will evaluate the symptoms and refer them to an expert in mental health. Additionally, the doctor will ask about their medical history as well as whether they are taking any medications that may interact with stimulants.

Family History

It can be a traumatic experience for adults to learn that they have lived with ADHD for a long time, and aren't able to manage their lives. They may have experienced embarrassing situations, have been labelled "lazy," "irresponsible" or "stupid," or been blamed for problems they couldn't help. The symptoms may have caused them to experience difficulties in their relationships, careers, or education.

After a thorough examination and a detailed medical history of the patient, a qualified mental health professional or doctor can determine if the patient has adult adhd. This includes observing the person's behavior in various situations and obtaining information from family members, including family members and friends. The physician should also consider the medical and family histories of the person.

Many women are misdiagnosed as having ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD for women are different from those in males. Women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention symptoms, such as difficulty being focused or retaining information. They're less likely than men to display excessive impulsivity and hyperactivity. Women diagnosed with ADHD generally have more difficulties than men when it comes to dealing with the workplace and their relationships because of these differences.

It is crucial to collect a complete family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, since the symptoms are usually present throughout life. The history of the person will reveal that the symptoms have been evident from childhood and have had an impact on their functioning at school, work in relationships, and in other areas.

If the symptoms of a patient aren't sufficient to warrant a diagnosis, the clinician will need to investigate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like mood disorders and learning disorders. In addition to a psychiatric examination as well as a thorough medical exam must be conducted.

There isn't a routine blood test or imaging test to detect adhd in adults. However, the healthcare professional may give the patient a screening test in the office to evaluate the ability to focus, attention, distractibility and short-term memory, or ask them to test executive functions, such as planning, organization, and time management skills.

Medical Histories

Some adults do not receive a diagnosis of ADHD because their teachers or parents didn't recognize the signs in childhood, they were mistakenly diagnosed as children or they did well until adulthood, when academic or occupational demands increased. Some adults are diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after they realize that their issues are interfering with their relationships or work. Or they seek help to deal with their problems in the workplace or at home. A doctor will review the person's medical history to look for any family or personal history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. A health professional will also check for thyroid disorders, head injuries as well as alcohol or drug abuse, and other physical illnesses that can cause similar symptoms.

Adults suffering from ADHD are identified by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. These problems can manifest at home, at work or diagnosing adhd in adults school, as well as in social situations. Adults are more likely than children to suffer symptoms of hyperactivity versus inattention. The symptoms of inattention can cause problems staying organized, forgetting appointments or having difficulty keeping track of multiple tasks at home and at work. Hyperactive and impulsive behaviors can cause problems managing anger or frustration, being anxious waiting in line, driving in traffic, or making quick decisions.

Studies have shown that genetics are a factor in the development of ADHD. In addition, a number of non-genetic factors are linked to the development of ADHD. These can include an infant's weight that is too low, a premature birth, exposure to toxins such as tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy, diagnosing ADHD in adults and stress during the early years of childhood.

The majority of times, the symptoms are treated with medications such as stimulants. It is important that the health professional knows the other medications that the patient is taking since certain medicines interact with stimulants. A psychiatrist or behavioral health professional will discuss the available medication options with the patient. Patients suffering from ADHD should inform their doctor of any other medical or mental treatment they receive, such as talk therapy or self-help techniques. They may ask about participating in a research study to test new treatment options for ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

A licensed psychologist will conduct a psychological assessment to determine if an adult suffers from ADHD. This is a formal interview and a review of relevant documents. The evaluator asks the individual to describe their behavior and their symptoms as well as how they function in various situations, including at school, home, and at work. It is crucial that the person being evaluated is honest about the issues and does not shy away from fear or embarrassment. This will help the doctor obtain a complete picture of the individual's functioning and issues.

The evaluator may also interview people in the person's life who know them well like their spouse, significant others, parents or siblings. They are asked to evaluate the person's behavior using standard rating scales that use research on how behaviors of people with ADHD compare to those of those who don't have ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic by themselves, but they do provide useful information regarding a person's difficulties.

The evaluator also reviews other relevant documents, like old report cards and grades or copies of performance evaluations from work. These are used to identify areas where the individual is struggling, for example, academic achievement as well as work performance and social interactions. These are often the areas where the symptoms of ADHD have the most impact on the individual's performance.

Depending on the problem being assessed, the examiner could decide to perform additional psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests are not able to diagnose ADHD however they do provide valuable information to the person evaluating that can help determine if there are any co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.

If a person is looking to hire a psychologist conduct a psychological assessment it is beneficial for the person to find one who is specialized in adults suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to ask the person's primary health care provider for a referral, or visit a local mental health clinic that provides adhd adult diagnosis services such as a hospital that is a university or a graduate school of psychology for recommendations. Many insurance plans have an array of providers arranged by specialty. Professionals who are certified are more than willing to provide details about their expertise and training for evaluating adult ADHD. Refusal to provide this information should be viewed as a red-flag and the patient should seek an alternative provider.