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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This might include the primary care physician, psychiatrist or psychologist. The diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as how they affect daily life. The symptoms must be present from childhood and must be causing impairment in more than one environment, such as school or work. Identifying symptoms Many adults who receive a diagnosis of ADHD have been suffering from their symptoms for a long time, but they might not be aware that they have a mental health condition. Some people are diagnosed after they notice that their productivity at work is suffering or that their relationships are in trouble. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but can also be overwhelming for people in different stages of their lives. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD for adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. People with ADHD may fidget while listening to a lecture or wait in the line. They may also have difficulty working on their tasks in time or forgetting things easily. In addition, those who suffer from ADHD often have trouble calming down and can become frustrated and emotional easily. ADHD symptoms are more obvious in children, while hyperactivity and impulsivity can be less apparent in adults. For example in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and running around, while adults may exhibit these symptoms more subduedly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. Additionally, they might have difficulty sitting still during long conversations or while reading a book. Adults suffering from ADHD can also have problems with control of their impulses. This could lead to risky behaviours like driving too fast or spending money on unnecessary things. They may also have a hard time resisting the urge to buy something and delaying their satisfaction. This can cause problems at home or work. People with ADHD also often have trouble with organization, which can make it difficult to keep track of their finances or their bills. A health professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if a person has ADHD. They will review the person's medical, developmental and educational background and ask questions regarding their current functioning. They might also talk to family members and teachers to get a better understanding of the challenges a person faces. A diagnosis of ADHD requires that a person has multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months. The symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12 and they should affect a number of areas of one's life like school, work or their social life. Medical History 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 review your medical as well as family and work history to determine if you have symptoms that match these criteria. During this process, it is important to be open and honest with your health care provider regarding your issues since they aren't able to diagnose you without that information. Some doctors request their patients to interview family members — spouses, parents or siblings, for instanceto discuss the effects of ADHD-related behavior on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person to gain a clear understanding of the issues their loved ones face and can help strengthen the relationship in the future. ADHD symptoms in adults could differ based on the circumstances, but they are often very similar to the symptoms that characterize ADHD in childhood. The main difference is that adults often suffer from their symptoms in more intricate ways than children and their symptoms can have a bigger impact on their work, social, and school lives. For instance, people with ADHD may not be in a position to manage their time like children, and they may have difficulties finding jobs or maintaining relationships. Your doctor will perform a clinical evaluation to diagnose ADHD. This will include an interview with you and any significant individuals who are in your life and a physical examination and laboratory tests. Additionally to this, you and your family members will be asked to fill out questionnaires on the symptoms that have affected you in your life. When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD in the same way, it's important to consider any comorbidities they may suffer from, like depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders are not treated, they can contribute to feelings of frustration and underachievement that are internalized as stress or anger. This can lead to a vicious cycle where untreated ADHD symptoms can exacerbate the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare up more often. This can have a significant effect on your quality of life, so it is crucial to treat both comorbidities and the ADHD. Psychological Evaluation A psychological evaluation is usually performed by a health care provider to determine if someone has ADHD. This involves an extensive interview with the patient, a complete family medical history, and looking over documents. They will ask the person to describe their symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will also ask the patient to rate their symptoms using scales of rating and questionnaires that are standardised. Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD do so when they realize that their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their life. They might not be able to be effective in meetings or meet deadlines at work. adhd diagnostic may struggle in their relationships as they can't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic due to their inability to keep up with chores or attend to their children. It is important to recognize that many people who don't have ADHD suffer from similar symptoms. Stress, mental health problems and physical ailments can all trigger similar symptoms. It is essential 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 want to speak to the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to find out their opinion on the person's behavior and how it affects their daily functioning. In addition, a mental health professional will assess the individual using a series of standardized tests designed to measure 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 determine if a person has ADHD symptoms. Sometimes, mental health professionals will suggest that a person take part in an experimental study to try out new treatments for ADHD. Although participating in a trial could be beneficial, you should understand that these studies are mostly designed to help you gain new scientific information and not to treat specific health problems. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, speak with your doctor or go to 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 be struggling to keep up with daily tasks like cleaning the house or remembering to make and keep appointments or getting their children ready for school. They may also have a difficult time staying on task at work and are often restless or “on edge” while sitting in the office. It's important for a doctor to consider the various symptoms and how they affect the life of a person prior to making the diagnosis of ADHD. Some people have ADHD in a variety of areas of their life, while others have only one problem such as work or relationships. The signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are all considered in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman, 2015). A health professional will perform an extensive mental assessment and also consider other elements that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. For example, stress, head injuries, mood disorders, certain medications, thyroid conditions, and other physical ailments could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It's important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD can result in these psychiatric disorders and may cause the symptoms of ADHD worse. The evaluator may also look at the person's family history of ADHD to determine whether there is a genetic element. It is well-known that ADHD is mostly hereditary, and research suggests that 70% to 80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. Low birth weight, exposure to toxins during pregnancy, and premature birth are all factors that are not genetic that contribute to ADHD. A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood could alter your life. For some, it gives an explanation for their issues and for others, it brings relief knowing the reason behind their struggles. Historically, the myth was that only hyperactive little boys can be diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has led to many women's symptoms being omitted for too long. Hamdani, who is 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 women.