Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Diagnosing adult ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing a child. The majority of symptom checklists for children are useless for adults.
A thorough assessment by a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is typically required. Work or school records may be reviewed as well. Counseling can be beneficial to coworkers, family members and friends.
Signs and symptoms
A person who has ADHD frequently has problems with school and work. They are unable to keep the track of their assignments and completing deadlines. They frequently lose things and forget appointments and medical instructions. They can be impulsive and endanger their health by skipping meals, or avoiding medications they need. They also tend to overreact to stress and have trouble paying attention to conversations or "reading" the behavior and moods of others.
Those suffering from ADHD have trouble staying on task and can easily get bored by boring tasks. They are susceptible to daydreaming or "zoning out" without realizing it and especially when other people are talking. They are unresponsive, and don't respond to questions. This can make them appear uninterested and aloof. They may have trouble keeping track of instructions and retaining details. This can lead to mistakes or work that is not completed. They can also get bored with a task quickly and want to try new opportunities or tasks.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty in relationships and feel that they aren't able to keep up with their family and friends. They are troubled with money management which can lead to an impulsive spending habit and the accumulation of debt. Their job may suffer because of their inability to follow rules or complete paperwork in time to meet deadlines. They may not be able to manage their time effectively and often leave work before they've completed. They may be unable to get to get along with their coworkers and supervisors due to their erratic tempers and inability to listen to other people.
Adults with ADHD do not show the same physical signs as hyperactive children, such fidgeting and tapping their feet. Their agitation may be more subtle, like when they check their watch, or they might have difficulties sitting still during meetings. Their sloppy and disorganized work performance can contribute to job loss and financial difficulties.
A person who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD is advised to speak with their primary healthcare provider. The doctor will assess the symptoms and recommend them to a mental health professional for further evaluation. Additionally, the doctor will ask about their medical history and if they are taking any medication that could interact with stimulants.
Family History
It can be a traumatic experience for adults to learn that they have lived with ADHD for a long time and are unable to control their lives. They could have been in embarrassing situations, labelled "lazy", "irresponsible", or "stupid", or blamed for things they couldn't control. They may have had difficulty maintaining relationships, or faced difficulties in their work or education due to the symptoms.
A qualified mental health care doctor or professional can identify adult adhd by 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 should also consider the medical and family histories of the person.
Because the symptoms of ADHD differ in women than in men, many women are left undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Women with ADHD are more likely to exhibit inattention symptoms such as trouble staying focused and remembering details and are less likely to display hyperactivity or impulsiveness. Women diagnosed with ADHD typically have more difficulty than men in navigating the work world and in their relationships due to these differences.
A complete family history is crucial to diagnosing ADHD in adulthood because the symptoms of the disorder usually continue throughout the course of. The history of the person must show that the symptoms have been present consistently since childhood and have had an impact on their functioning at school, work in relationships, and in various other areas.
If the symptoms of a patient aren't severe enough to warrant diagnosis, the doctor will have to look into other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like mood disorders and learning disorders. In addition to a psychiatric evaluation and a thorough medical examination must be conducted.
There is no blood or routine imaging test that can be used to diagnose adult adhd. The healthcare professional can give the person in their office an assessment test to determine attention, distraction, short-term memory and concentration. They may also ask them to perform tests that measure executive functions, such as planning, organizing and time management.
Medical History
Many adults never receive an diagnosis of ADHD because their parents or teachers were not aware of the symptoms during their childhood, and they were misdiagnosed as children or they did well until adulthood when the demands on their academic or professional lives increased. A few adults are diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after they realize that their issues affect their relationships or work, or they seek help to deal with their problems at work or at home. A doctor will go over the medical history of the patient to look for any family or personal history of depression, anxiety or other mental health problems. A health professional can also look for head injuries thyroid disorders, head injury, drug and alcohol use, or other physical illnesses that can trigger similar symptoms.
For adults, the primary symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, as well as hyperactivity. The person experiences these difficulties at home, at work or at school, and in social situations. For adults, the signs are more likely to be evident as being inactive rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention could cause difficulty staying organized, forgetting appointments or having difficulty keeping track of multiple tasks at work and home. Hyperactive and impulsive behavior can result in problems managing anger, frustration, or irritability while waiting in line, in traffic, making quick decisions, or becoming impatient.
Studies have revealed that genetics can play a part in the development and severity of ADHD. Additionally, a variety of non-genetic causes are connected to the development of ADHD. These include low birthweight, premature births, exposure to toxins like alcohol or tobacco while pregnant and stress during early childhood.
Most of the time, symptoms are treated with medication like stimulants. It is crucial for the health care provider to know what other medications a patient is taking, as certain medications may interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatrist or behavioral health professional will talk about the options for medication with the patient. Patients with ADHD should inform their doctor of any other medical or mental treatment they receive, including self-help or talk therapy. They can also ask about taking part in a clinical trial of new medication treatments.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychologist who is a professional will conduct a psychological examination to diagnose adult ADHD. This is a formal interview and a review of relevant documents. The examiner will inquire of the individual about their behavior, symptoms and performance in various settings, such as home, school and work. It is crucial that a person being evaluated discuss these issues candidly and without reluctance from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to obtain an accurate picture of how the patient is performing and what issues they are facing.
The evaluator is also able to interview close family members or acquaintances with the person, for example, a spouse, significant other, parents, or siblings. These individuals are asked how they would rate the person based on standardized ratings scales which are based upon research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not suffer from ADHD. These ratings aren't considered diagnostic by themselves but they can provide important information about the individual and their challenges.
In addition to the interview with the patient and any additional questionnaires The evaluator will typically look over relevant documents like old report cards, grades or copies of performance reviews in the workplace. These documents are used to identify the areas in which an individual struggles with academic performance, work performance and social interactions. Often these are the areas where the symptoms of ADHD are most detrimental to the functioning of an individual.
Depending on adhd diagnosis uk adults that is being assessed, an evaluator might choose to take additional psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however they do provide valuable information to the evaluator that can help determine if there are co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
It is important to find an experienced psychologist who has worked working with adults suffering from ADHD when seeking a psychologist for a psychological assessment. The primary physician of the patient for a recommendation is a excellent idea. You can also reach out to the local mental clinic that provides ADHD services, or a university-based or graduate school of psychology to get recommendations. Many insurance plans have a list of providers organized by specialty. Professionals who are qualified will be more than happy to share information about their education and experience in evaluating adults with ADHD. A reluctance to do so should be considered a red flag and the person should seek another service.