Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
A health care provider can diagnose ADHD. This could be an primary health care practitioner psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as the way they affect your daily life. The symptoms must be present since childhood and be causing problems in more than one setting such as school or at work.
Identifying Symptoms
Many people diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for years. However, they might not have realized they had a mental illness. Some people are diagnosed after they notice that their productivity at work is suffering or that their relationships are strained. A diagnosis can be a revelation but it can also be overwhelming for those at different stages of their lives.
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are among the most prevalent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD may flitter around in their chair while they listen to a lecture at work or have trouble waiting for their turn in the line. They may forget things easily, or have trouble finishing tasks in time. Additionally, people with ADHD often have trouble relaxing and can become frustrated and emotionally tense easily.
ADHD symptoms are more apparent in children, while the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity are less evident in adults. In children, hyperactivity can manifest as jumping and running and jumping, while adults can display these symptoms by shifting their weight or tapping their feet. Additionally, they might have difficulty sitting still for long conversations or reading a book.
Adults with ADHD may also experience issues with controlling their impulses. This could lead to risky behaviours like driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They might also have difficulty resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can lead to issues at home or at work. People with ADHD frequently have difficulties in organising their lives. This could make it difficult to keep track with their bills or finances.
A health professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if an individual has ADHD. They will review a person's developmental, medical and educational history, and ask questions about their current performance. They may also speak to teachers, family members, or employers in order to better understand a person's struggles.
A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have manifested before the age of 12, and they should affect various aspects of one's life including school, work or their social life.
Medical Histories
The American Psychiatric Association publishes diagnostic guidelines for ADHD in 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 meet these criteria. It is crucial that you are honest and open with your doctor about your symptoms, since they cannot diagnose you without this information. Some doctors suggest that patients talk to family members, including spouses, parents or siblings, about the impact the behavior of ADHD has on their lives. This could help the person who is not suffering from ADHD gain a better understanding the challenges their loved ones are facing. It could also help improve the relationship.
Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them have a lot in common with the behavior that was characteristic of the condition in childhood. One of the main differences is that adults often suffer from their symptoms in more complicated ways than children and their symptoms can have a greater impact on their work, social and school lives. Adults suffering from ADHD may not be able manage their time the same way as children and may have difficulty keeping relationships in place or finding a job.
The doctor will conduct an examination to determine if you have ADHD. This involves an interview with yourself and any significant people in your lives as well as a physical exam and laboratory tests. In addition to this, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires about issues that have affected your life.
When evaluating adults with ADHD, it is also important to consider any comorbidities they may suffer from, like anxiety or depression that could make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders are not treated, they can contribute to feelings of frustration and underachievement that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can lead to an endless cycle of untreated ADHD symptoms exacerbate the underlying comorbidities and cause flare-ups to occur more frequently. This can have a major impact on your quality-of-life and therefore it is essential to address the ADHD and co-morbidities.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care provider decides to determine if someone has ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological assessment. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, taking a thorough family medical history, and looking over documents. They will ask the person to explain their symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They will also ask the person to rate their symptoms using standardized rating scales and questionnaires.
Adults who seek the diagnosis of ADHD typically do so due to the fact that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. They may not be able to be effective in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They may have problems in their relationships if they can't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic due to the fact that they don't pay attention to their children or complete their chores.
It is important to keep in mind that many people with ADHD have some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments may all trigger similar symptoms. It is important to seek out the advice of a professional and have a thorough assessment.
A psychological assessment may also include a detailed look at the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also consider speaking with the person's spouse or parents or other family members to get their opinion on the person's behavior and how it has affected their daily life.
A mental health professional might also use a series tests that are standardised to gauge the ability of a person's brain. This could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale, the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale 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 an individual participate in an experimental study to try out new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a trial could be beneficial, you must be aware that these trials are designed to gather new scientific information and not to treat any particular health issues. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, talk with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Social Evaluation
Many adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain stability in their home or workplace. They may struggle to keep up with their daily chores such as cleaning the home, remembering to make appointments and keep them, or getting their children ready for school. They might also have trouble keeping their work on track and often appear 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. Certain people suffer from ADHD-related issues in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others only struggle with one area such as relationships or work. The criteria for determining ADHD include impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention.
A health care professional will perform an extensive mental assessment and also consider other elements that could cause similar symptoms as ADHD. Stress depression, mood disorders, and head injuries could mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical conditions may cause similar symptoms. It's important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. If not treated, ADHD could lead to these mental disorders and may cause the symptoms of ADHD worse.
The evaluator might also consider the family history of ADHD in order to determine if there is a genetic cause. Research has shown that up to 80% of ADHD risk is inherited. Other factors that are not genetic and could contribute to developing ADHD include a low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy or birth prematurely.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life-altering moment. Some find it a relief to finally understand the reason for their difficulties. Others are relieved that they understand what is causing their problems. This belief led to women's symptoms not being recognized for too long. iampsychiatry 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.