Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Finding out if an adult suffers from ADHD is trickier than diagnosing ADHD in a child. The majority of the symptoms checklists used for children are not suitable for adults.
Typically, a thorough examination by a psychologist or therapist is required. It is possible to review previous work or school records. Counseling can be beneficial to coworkers, family members, and friends.
Symptoms
Someone with ADHD frequently has problems with school and work. They struggle to keep the track of their assignments and completing deadlines. They often lose things and forget appointments or medical instructions. They can be impulsive and risk their health by skipping meals, or avoiding medications they need. They often react to stress in an overly emotional way and may have difficulty being able to focus or reading the moods and behaviors of others.
People with ADHD have trouble staying on task and can easily get bored by boring tasks. They can easily "zone out" or daydream without realizing that they are talking. They are often inattentive and don't respond to questions, making them seem disinterested or uninterested. They aren't able to follow instructions and remembering details which can lead to errors and insufficient work. They may also become bored with a task quickly and want to try new challenges or activities.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have difficulty in relationships, and often feel like they're not keeping up with friends and family. They are troubled with money management which can lead to excessive spending and a growing debt. Their job may suffer because of their inability to follow the rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines. They might not manage their time well and often leave work before they are finished. They may have a difficult time getting along with co-workers or supervisors due to their short temper and inability to other's concerns.
Contrary to the boisterous hyperactive children in classrooms, adults with ADHD seldom display obvious physical indicators of activity, such as tapping their feet or fidgeting. Their agitation may be more subtle, like, by repeatedly checking their watches or having difficulties sitting still during meetings. The lack of organization and poor work performance can result in financial issues and job loss.
A person who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD is advised to talk with their primary care provider. They will examine their symptoms and refer them to a mental health professional. In addition, the provider will inquire about their medical history and whether they are taking any medications that may interact with stimulants.
Family History
When people are diagnosed with ADHD as adults it can be a devastating experience to realize that they've been living with the disorder for a long time and haven't been able to gain control of their lives. They might have been in embarrassing situations, have been labelled "lazy," "irresponsible" or "stupid," or been blamed for issues they could not help. They might have had trouble maintaining relationships, or experienced difficulties in their careers or education because of the symptoms.
A licensed mental health care professional or physician can diagnose adult adhd after conducting a thorough exam of the patient and taking an extensive history. This includes observing the patient's behavior in various environments and gathering information from relatives such as family members and friends. The practitioner must also consider the medical and family history of the person.
Because the symptoms of ADHD are different for women than men, many women are not diagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to show inattentive signs such as trouble staying focused or remembering details. They are less likely than men to display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior. These characteristics can make it difficult for women who suffer from ADHD to navigate their work and their relationships.
It is crucial to collect a complete family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, because the symptoms are usually present throughout the course of life. The past of the individual must show that the symptoms have been present consistently from childhood and have affected their performance at school, work as well as in relationships and in other areas.
If the symptoms of a patient aren't sufficient to warrant a diagnosis of ADHD the doctor must determine if there are other conditions that are often associated with ADHD and cause similar problems like mood disorders, learning disorders or substance use disorders (Austerman 2015). A thorough medical examination should be conducted in addition to the psychiatric examination.
There is no routine imaging test or blood test that can be used to diagnose adults with adhd. The healthcare professional can give the person who is in their office a screening test to evaluate attention and distraction and short-term memory as well as concentration. They can also ask them to test for executive functions such as planning, organizing and time management.
Medical Histories
Many adults never get an diagnosis of ADHD because their parents or teachers didn't recognize the signs during their childhood, and they were mistakenly diagnosed as children, or they managed fairly well until adulthood, when the demands of their jobs or academics were greater. Some adults are diagnosed later in life because they see their problems becoming out of control in their work or relationships or they seek help to manage their difficulties at home or at work. A doctor will review the medical history of the patient to determine if there is a family or personal history of anxiety, depression or other mental health problems. A health professional will also be looking for head injuries, thyroid disorders and alcohol or drug use as well as other physical illnesses that may cause similar symptoms.
Adults with ADHD are characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. These problems can manifest at home, in the workplace or at school, as in social settings. Adults are more likely than children to suffer symptoms of hyperactivity, as opposed to inattention. Inattention-related symptoms can lead to difficulties in staying organized, ignoring important appointments, and having difficulty managing multiple tasks at work and home. The hyperactive and impulsive behavior can cause problems managing anger or frustration, and can result in being anxious waiting in line, driving in traffic, or taking rapid decisions.
Research has shown that genetics of a person are a factor in the development of ADHD. Additionally, a variety of non-genetic factors are linked to the development of ADHD. This includes low birthweight and premature births, exposure to toxins like smoking cigarettes or alcohol during pregnancy and stress during early childhood.
Symptoms are usually treated with stimulants. It is essential that the health care provider is aware of any other medications the patient is taking since certain medications interact with stimulants. A psychiatric professional or a behavioral health professional can talk to the patient about the medication options available. People with ADHD should inform their physician of any other mental or medical treatment they receive, including self-help or talk therapy. They may ask about participating in a clinical study for new treatment options for ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychologist who is a professional will conduct a psychological assessment to determine if an adult suffers from ADHD. This is a formal interview and a review of pertinent documents. The person being evaluated is asked to describe their behavior and their symptoms as well as how they function in a variety of situations, including at school, home, and at work. It is essential that the person being evaluated talks about these issues in a candid manner and does not hide from embarrassment or fear. adhd diagnostic will allow the doctor to get the complete picture of how the patient is doing and what issues they are experiencing.
The evaluator is also able to interview close family members or acquaintances with the person, for example, spouses, significant others, parents, or siblings. They are asked to rate the person's behavior based on standardized rating scales that are based on research on how the behaviors of people with ADHD compare with those of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings aren't considered diagnostic by themselves but they provide important information about the individual and their challenges.
In addition to the interview with the patient and supplemental questionnaires the evaluator is expected to review relevant documents such as old report cards and grades or copies of performance reviews from the workplace. These documents are used to identify the areas where individuals struggle in areas such as academic performance, work performance and social interactions. In most cases these are the areas where the symptoms of ADHD most affect an individual's functioning.
Depending on the issue that is being examined an evaluation expert may decide to conduct additional neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however they do provide important information to the examiner to determine whether or not there are any co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
If you are looking for a psychologist to do a psychological evaluation it is beneficial for the client to seek out one who is specifically trained to treat adults with ADHD. Asking the person's primary physician to recommend a psychologist is another excellent idea. You can also reach out to a local mental clinic that offers ADHD services or a university-based graduate school of psychology for recommendations. A lot of insurance plans have lists of providers according to the area of expertise. Qualified professionals are more than willing to provide information about their expertise and training in evaluating adult ADHD. A reluctance to do so should be viewed as a red flag, and the patient should seek out a different provider.