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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults A health care professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include a primary care provider psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of ADHD is dependent on the amount and severity of symptoms and how they impact everyday life. The symptoms must have been present from childhood and must be causing problems in more than one place, like school or work. Identifying symptoms Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD have lived with their symptoms for years however, they may not know that they suffer from a mental health condition. Some people are diagnosed after they realize 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 people at different stages of life. Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are some of the most common ADHD symptoms in adults. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD might fidget in their seat while they listen to a lecture at work or struggle to wait their turn in line. They might also have trouble finishing tasks on time or losing things easily. Those with ADHD may also have a difficult time relaxing and can become angry and emotionally easily. In children, symptoms of ADHD are more apparent, but in adults, hyperactivity and impulsivity may appear less obviously. In children, hyperactivity can manifest as jumping and running and jumping, while adults can manifest these symptoms by shifting their weight or tapping on their feet. They might also have problems sitting still when listening to an extended conversation or reading the book. Adults suffering from ADHD may also struggle in controlling their impulses, which can lead to reckless behaviors like driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They may also have trouble resisting temptation and delaying the pleasure. This can lead to issues at work or at home. People with ADHD also have issues with organization, which can make it hard for them to keep on top of their finances and their bills. A health care professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will review the person's medical, developmental and educational history, and ask questions about their current performance. They might also talk to family members as well as teachers or employers to gain more insight into the struggles of a person. A person must have multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been evident before the age of 12, and they must affect a number of areas of one's life including school, work or 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 examine your medical, family, and work histories to identify symptoms that match these criteria. In this process, it is important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider regarding your issues since they aren't able to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask patients to ask family members, like parents, spouses, or siblings, about the effect the behavior of ADHD has on their lives. This helps the person who isn't diagnosed with ADHD gain a better understanding of the issues their loved ones face and can help strengthen the relationship in the near future. ADHD symptoms in adults can depend on the specific situation, but they are often identical to those that characterize ADHD in childhood. A key difference is that adults typically suffer from their symptoms in more complex ways than children and their symptoms can have a bigger impact on their work, social, and school lives. For instance, people with ADHD might not be able to manage their time like children, and they might have more difficulty finding jobs or maintaining relationships. Your doctor will perform an evaluation of your clinical condition to determine ADHD. This includes an interview with yourself and any significant individuals in your life and a physical examination and laboratory tests. In addition you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires about issues that have affected your life. When evaluating adults suffering from ADHD, it is also important to take into consideration any comorbidities they may have, such as anxiety or depression that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. These disorders can cause feelings of anger or frustration, which are internalized as stress or anger that is persistent. Iam Psychiatry can create an endless cycle of symptoms that are not treated for ADHD increase the severity of the underlying comorbidities, causing them to flare up even more frequently. This can have a significant effect on your quality of life, making it important to treat both the comorbidities and the ADHD. Psychological Evaluation When a doctor is trying to determine if a patient has ADHD typically, they conduct a psychological examination. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, an exhaustive medical history of the family and a thorough examination of documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how it affects their daily life. They will ask the patient to rate their symptoms using standard rating scales or questionnaires. Adults who seek the diagnosis of ADHD typically do so due to the fact that their symptoms affect various aspects of their lives. They might not be able to do well in meetings or miss deadlines at work. They may struggle in their relationships because they can't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be in disarray because they fail to keep up with chores or pay attention to their children. It is important to remember that many people who do not have ADHD also suffer from some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms. In this regard it is essential to seek out a health care expert and conduct a thorough evaluation. A psychological evaluation will involve an in-depth look at the person's past, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also consider speaking with the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to get their opinion on the person's behavior and how it has affected their daily life. Additionally, a mental health professional will evaluate the person with a series of standard tests that are designed to assess their cognitive abilities. These tests may 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 indicate whether or not an individual is suffering from ADHD. Sometimes mental health professionals recommend that a person participate in an experimental study to test new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a trial can be beneficial, you must be aware that these trials are primarily designed to gain new information in the field of science, not to treat any particular health issues. If you're interested to learn more, speak to your doctor or visit NIMH Clinical Trials. Social Evaluation Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD are struggling to maintain stability at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with daily 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 at work, and often appear restless or “on-edge” when they sit at their desks. It is essential for a doctor to look at all of these symptoms and how they impact the life of a person prior to making the diagnosis of ADHD. There are people who have problems with ADHD throughout their lives, whereas others have issues in just one area such as relationships or work. Symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are all used in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Austerman 2015). A medical professional will conduct a thorough mental health evaluation and take into account other factors that could cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. For instance, stress, mood disorders, head injuries or other injuries, certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical conditions can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is also essential to determine if a person has comorbidities like depression or anxiety. If untreated, ADHD can lead to these psychiatric disorders that could cause ADHD symptoms worse. The evaluator may also examine the individual's family history of ADHD to determine if there is a genetic cause. It is well-known that ADHD is largely heritable, and research suggests that around 70%-80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. Other non-genetic factors that could contribute to developing ADHD include low birth weight or exposure to toxins in pregnancy, or being born prematurely. A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. Some people feel relieved to finally have an explanation for their struggles. Others are relieved that they understand the root of their issues. In the past, the belief has been that only hyperactive little boys can be diagnosed with ADHD, and this belief has resulted in women's symptoms being ignored for a long time. Hamdani who is known as The Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok is determined to dispel the myths surrounding ADHD and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.