Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD is more difficult to identify than ADHD in children. The majority of the symptom checklists for children do not work in adults.
Typically, a thorough assessment by a therapist or psychologist is required. Work or school records can be examined as well. Friends, coworkers and family members can also benefit from counseling.
Signs and symptoms
Someone with ADHD frequently has problems at school and at work. They are unable to keep track of assignments and completing deadlines. They frequently lose things and forget appointments and medical instructions. They may be impulsive and risk their health by skipping meals, or avoiding medications they need. They often react to stress in an excessively emotional way and may have difficulty focusing or reading the moods and behavior of other people.
Those with ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying focused and may become bored easily with monotonous tasks. They are prone to daydreaming or "zoning out" without realizing it and especially when other people are talking. They are often inattentive and do not respond to questions, which makes them appear indifferent or aloof. They may have trouble following instructions and remembering specifics. This can lead to mistakes or incomplete work. They also become bored with tasks quickly and are likely to look for new tasks or problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have issues in relationships and feel they're not keeping up with their friends and family. They may struggle with managing their finances which could lead them to make impulsive purchases or incur debt. Their work may suffer due to their inability to adhere to rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines. They might also be unable to effectively manage their time and frequently quit work before they are completed. They might have difficulty getting to get along with their coworkers and supervisors because of their tempers that are short and their inability to listen to others.
In contrast to the rambunctious hyperactive children that are often seen in classrooms, adults suffering from ADHD do not show obvious physical signs of activity, like tapping their feet or fidgeting. Their restlessness can be subtler like checking their watches repeatedly or having trouble sitting down during meetings. The lack of organization and poor work habits can result in financial issues and loss of jobs.
A person who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD should see an primary care physician. He or she will assess the symptoms and refer them to an expert in mental health. The physician will also inquire about the patient's medical history and whether they are taking any medication that could interact with stimulants.
Family History
It can be a traumatic experience for adults to discover that they've been suffering from ADHD for a long time and aren't able to manage their lives. They may have experienced embarrassing situations, been called "lazy," "irresponsible" or "stupid," or been blamed for things they couldn't help. These issues could have led them to face difficulties in their relationships, careers or education.
A trained mental health specialist or doctor can diagnose adult adhd after conducting a thorough examination of the patient and taking an extensive history. This should include observing the person's behavior in different settings and getting information from relatives, including family members and friends. The doctor should also take into consideration the medical and family history of the individual.
Since the symptoms of ADHD are different in women and men, a lot of women are left undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Women with ADHD are more likely to display inattention symptoms, such as difficulty keeping track of information and staying focused and are less likely to display hyperactivity or impulsiveness. These differences can make it difficult for women with ADHD to navigate the workplace and in their relationships.
It is crucial to collect an entire family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, as the symptoms are usually present throughout the course of life. The person's past should prove that the symptoms have been consistently present since childhood and have had a a profound impact on their performance at school, at work, in their relationships and in other aspects of his or her life.
If a person's symptoms are not severe enough to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD The doctor should look into the presence of other conditions that often coexist with ADHD and cause similar problems, such as mood disorders as well as learning disorders and addiction disorders (Austerman, 2015). A thorough medical examination should be conducted along with the psychiatric examination.
There isn't a routine blood test or imaging test to detect adhd in adults. A healthcare professional can offer the person who is in their office an assessment test to determine attention, distraction short-term memory, and concentration. They can also ask them perform tests that measure executive functions like planning, organizing and time management.
Medical Histories
Some adults never get diagnosed with ADHD because their parents and teachers didn't recognize the signs when they were children, so they were misdiagnosed or they managed with ease until they reached adulthood, at which point the demands of their jobs or academics increased. A few adults are diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after they realize that their problems interfere with their relationships or work. Or they seek help to manage their difficulties at the workplace or at home. A doctor will review the medical history of the patient to look for an individual or family history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems. A health professional will also be looking for thyroid disorders, head injuries, drug or alcohol use as well as other physical illnesses which can trigger similar symptoms.
Adults with ADHD are characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. The person experiences these difficulties at home, at work, or school, and in social settings. Adults are more likely than children to experience symptoms of hyperactivity, as opposed to inattention. The symptoms of inattention could cause difficulty keeping track of appointments, not remembering them or having difficulty keeping track of various tasks at home and at work. Hyperactive and impulsive behaviors may cause difficulty managing anger or frustration, becoming impatient waiting in line or driving in traffic, or taking rapid decisions.
Research has shown that genetics are a factor in the development of ADHD. Additionally, a variety of non-genetic factors are linked to the development of ADHD. These include the low birth weight, premature birth as well as exposure to toxic substances such as alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, as well as stress during the early years of childhood.
Often, a person's symptoms are treated with medications like stimulants. It is crucial that the health care professional is aware of any other medications the patient is taking because some medicines interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatric or a behavioral health professional can talk to the patient about the medication options available. Patients suffering from ADHD should inform their physician of any other medical or mental treatment they receive, including talk therapy or self-help techniques. They may ask about participating in a research study to test new treatments for ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A licensed psychologist will conduct a psychological evaluation to determine the presence of adult ADHD. This is a formal interview and a review of pertinent documents. The evaluator asks the person to describe their behavior and their symptoms as well as how they function in various situations, including at home, school, or at work. It is important that the person being assessed discusses these issues honestly and does not hide from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to gain a complete understanding of the individual's performance and issues.
The evaluator is also able to interview close family members or friends who know the person, like spouse, significant other, parents, or siblings. These individuals are asked how they would rate the person using standard ratings scales that are which are based upon research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD with those without ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic in themselves, but they can provide valuable information about the person and their issues.
The evaluator also reviews other relevant documents, such as reports and old grades or copies of performance evaluations from work. These are used to determine areas where the person is struggling, such as academic performance as well as work performance and social interactions. These are often the areas where the symptoms of ADHD have the most impact on an individual's functioning.
Depending on the issue that is being assessed an evaluation expert may decide to perform additional psychological, neuropsychological or tests for learning disabilities. These tests are not able to diagnose ADHD however, they could provide important information to the examiner to determine whether or not there are any co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
If a person is looking to hire a psychologist conduct a psychological assessment It is recommended for the person to seek out one who specializes in people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to ask your primary health care provider for a referral or to visit the local mental health clinic that provides ADHD services such as a hospital that is a university or a graduate school in psychology to get suggestions. There are adhd diagnosis uk that have lists of providers that are based on specialization. Professionals who are qualified are more than willing to provide information about their training and experience in evaluating adults with ADHD. Refusal to share this information should be viewed as a red-flag and the person should find another provider.