Diagnosing ADHD in Adults

A health 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 number of symptoms, and how they impact daily life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one environment like school or work.

Identifying symptoms

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for many years. However, they might not have known that they suffered from a mental illness. Other people receive a diagnosis when they realize that their relationships or their work performance are affected. A diagnosis could be a surprise, but it can also be a source of anxiety for those at different stages of life.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are among the most frequent ADHD symptoms in adults. For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD may flitter around in their seat while they listen to an educational lecture at work, or have trouble waiting for their turn in line. They might also be prone to forgetting things or have trouble finishing tasks in time. Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD often have trouble calming down and may become frustrated and emotional quickly.

ADHD symptoms are more obvious in children, whereas the impulsivity and hyperactivity may be less evident in adults. For example in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and jumping around, whereas adults might display these signs more subduedly through shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In addition, they could be unable to sit still during long conversations or while reading the book.

Adults suffering from ADHD may also have issues with impulse control. This can lead to risky behaviors like driving too fast or spending money on unneeded items. They might also have difficulty resisting temptation and delaying the pleasure. This can lead to problems at home or work. People with ADHD also often have trouble organizing their lives, which can make it hard for them 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 examine the person’s medical, developmental and educational history and ask questions about their current performance. They may also speak to family members, teachers or employers to understand a person’s struggles.

A diagnosis of ADHD is when a person has multiple symptoms for at least 12 months. The symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12 and they should affect a number of areas of a person’s daily life, like school, work, 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 records to determine whether you meet these criteria. In this process, it is important to be open and honest with your doctor about your problems because they can’t diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask their patients to interview loved ones — spouses, parents, or siblings, for example — about the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person to gain a clear knowledge of the difficulties their loved ones face. It also may help the relationship in the near future.

Adults’ ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them look very similar to the behaviors that characterize the condition in childhood. The main difference is that adults often suffer from their symptoms in more intricate ways than children, and their symptoms have a bigger impact on their work, social, and school life. Adults with ADHD may not be able manage their time the like children and might have trouble maintaining relationships or finding jobs.

For diagnosis the doctor will conduct a thorough clinical examination, which typically consists of an interview with you and any other important people in your life, a physical examination, and laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause ADHD. In addition you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires regarding symptoms that have affected your life.

It is essential to consider any comorbid disorders that people with ADHD may have, such anxiety or depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse. These disorders can lead to feelings of anger or frustration which can be internalized as chronic anger or stress. This can lead to a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms can exacerbate underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare up more frequently. This can have a major effect on your quality of life, making it essential to treat both co-morbidities as well as the ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

A psychological assessment is typically conducted by a health care doctor to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. This includes a thorough interview with the patient, complete family medical history and a thorough review of the documents. They will ask the person to explain their symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will ask the person to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.

Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD typically do so due to the fact that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. They might not be able to do well in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They may have difficulty with their relationships due to the fact that they cannot listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be in chaos because they aren’t paying attention to children or keep up with their chores.

It is important to remember that many people who do not suffer from ADHD suffer from similar symptoms. A variety of factors can cause similar problems, such as stress, other mental health issues, as well as physical ailments. As a result it is crucial to seek out a health care professional and take a thorough examination.

A psychological assessment will include a detailed look at the person’s background, including their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may be able to talk to the person’s parents, spouse, or other family members to obtain their perspective on how the person’s behaviors have affected their daily functioning and relationships.

A mental health professional might also employ a series of standardized tests to measure the ability of a person’s brain. This could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can help determine if the person has symptoms of ADHD.

Sometimes, mental health professionals will suggest that a person take part in an experimental study to try out new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a clinical trial could be beneficial, it is crucial to realize that the primary goal of these studies is to obtain new scientific knowledge, not to treat a specific health issue. If you are interested in knowing more about clinical trials, consult with your physician or visit the NIMH’s Clinical Trials webpage.

Social Evaluation

Many adults who seek an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain stability in their workplace or at home. They may have trouble keeping up with daily tasks such as cleaning the home, remembering to make appointments and keep them or getting their children ready for school. They may also have a difficult time keeping their work on track, and they often seem restless or “on edge” when sitting in the office.

It’s important for a doctor to consider the various symptoms and how they affect a person’s life before making a diagnosis of ADHD. Some people have ADHD-related problems in multiple areas of their lives, while others are only struggling with one area such as relationships or work. The criteria for determining ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.

A health care professional will conduct an extensive mental assessment and consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. Stress, mood disorders and head injuries can mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical conditions may cause similar symptoms. It’s important to determine if someone is suffering from comorbidities such as depression or anxiety. If untreated, ADHD may cause psychiatric disorders and could cause ADHD symptoms worse.

Read Far more will also examine the individual’s family history of ADHD to see whether there is a genetic element. It’s well known that ADHD is mostly hereditary, and research suggests that 70%-80% of the risk for developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. 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 can cause ADHD.

A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood could alter your life. For some, it offers a concrete explanation for their struggles and for others, it brings relief that they now know the reason behind their struggles. This misconception led to women’s symptoms not being taken seriously for a long time. Hamdani, also known as The Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok has decided to dispel the myths associated with ADHD and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.