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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults A health care professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include the primary care physician psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the number and severity of symptoms, as well as how they impact daily life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and must cause impairment in more than one environment, such as school or work. Identifying the symptoms Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for many years. However, they may not have realized they had a mental illness. Some people are diagnosed after they realize that their work productivity is suffering or that their relationships are struggling. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, but can be stressful for people at different stages of their lives. Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are among the most common ADHD symptoms among adults. For example, someone suffering from ADHD may flitter around in their chair while they listen to an audio lecture at work or struggle to wait for their turn in the line. They might also forget things easily or struggle to finish tasks in time. People with ADHD may also have trouble getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily. ADHD symptoms are more evident in children, whereas the impulsivity and hyperactivity may be less apparent in adults. For instance, in children, hyperactivity can manifest as running and jumping around, whereas adults may exhibit these symptoms more subtly by constantly shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In addition, they may be unable to remain still for long conversations or reading an article. Adults suffering from ADHD may also have issues with control of their impulses. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They may also have difficulty resisting temptation and delaying the pleasure. This can cause problems at home or work. People with ADHD typically have issues with organization. This makes it difficult to keep track with their bills or finances. A health care professional will perform an exhaustive evaluation to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. They will examine the person's medical, developmental and educational history and ask questions about their current performance. They might also talk to teachers, family members, or employers in order to better understand the person's challenges. A person must have multiple symptoms for at least 12 months in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have been evident before the age of 12 and they should affect various aspects 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 examine your medical, family, and work histories to identify symptoms that match these criteria. During this process, you is important to be open and honest with your doctor regarding your issues since they won't be able to diagnose you without that information. Some doctors ask their patients to interview family members — spouses, parents or siblings, for instance -to discuss the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This helps the person who isn't diagnosed with ADHD to gain a clear understanding of the issues their loved ones face and may help the relationship in the future. Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary according to the situation, but a lot of them look very similar to the behavior that was characteristic of the condition in childhood. Adults often experience their ADHD symptoms in a more complex way than children, and the symptoms can have more impact on their school, work and social life. Adults with ADHD might not be able to manage their time in the same way as children, and may have difficulty maintaining relationships or obtaining jobs. For the purpose of diagnosis your doctor will conduct a thorough medical assessment, which usually includes an interview with you and any other important people in your life, a physical examination and lab tests to rule out other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. You and your family will also be asked to complete questionnaires on symptoms that have affected you. When evaluating adults suffering from ADHD in the same way, it's important to consider any comorbid conditions they might suffer from, like depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders aren't treated, they could lead to feelings of frustration and low performance that get internalized as chronic stress or anger. This can create an endless cycle of untreated ADHD symptoms can exacerbate underlying comorbidities, causing flare-ups to occur more frequently. This can have a major impact on your quality of life, so it is important to treat both the comorbidities and the ADHD. Psychological Evaluation When a doctor is trying to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological assessment. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, including a full family medical history, and looking over documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They will ask the patient to rate their symptoms using standard rating scales or questionnaires. Adults seeking a diagnosis for ADHD do so when they observe that their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their lives. Their work may be affected due to late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. adhd diagnosis uk adults may have problems in their relationships if they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be in chaos because they aren't paying attention to their children or complete their chores. It is crucial to remember that many people who do not have ADHD have certain symptoms. Stress, mental health problems and physical ailments may all trigger similar symptoms. It is important to seek out the advice of a professional and have a thorough assessment. A psychological assessment may also provide a thorough analysis of the person's history, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's parents, spouse, or other family members to get their perspectives on how the person's behaviors have affected their daily functioning and relationships. Additionally a mental health professional will evaluate the person using a series of standardized tests designed to measure their cognitive capabilities. They could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can help determine if an individual suffers from ADHD symptoms. Mental health professionals may recommend that a person take part in a study to determine if he or she is hyperactive. Although taking part in a trial may be beneficial, you must be aware that these studies are primarily designed to gain new scientific information and not to treat any specific health problems. If you're interested to learn more, speak to your doctor or go to NIMH Clinical Trials. Social Evaluation Many people who seek an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain their stability at home or work environment. They may have difficulty keeping up with daily tasks like cleaning the home, remembering and keeping appointments or getting kids ready for school. They might also have trouble keeping their work on track and often appear restless or “on edge” when they are in the office. It is essential for a doctor to look at all these symptoms and how they affect a person's life before making an assessment of ADHD. Certain people suffer from ADHD-related issues throughout their lives, whereas others only struggle with one area such as relationships or work. The criteria for determining ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. A health professional will conduct an extensive mental assessment and will consider other factors that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. Stress and mood disorders, as well as head injuries can all mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid diseases, medications, and other physical ailments may also cause similar symptoms. It's important to determine if a person suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD could result in these psychiatric conditions, which could cause ADHD symptoms worse. The evaluator will also look at the person's family history of ADHD to see whether there is a genetic element. It's well known that ADHD is largely inherited, and research suggests that about 70% to 80% of the risk for developing ADHD is passed down through the generations. Other factors that are not genetic and could contribute to the development of ADHD include low birth weight and exposure to toxins during pregnancy or having a premature birth. Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be a life-altering experience. Some people feel relieved to finally have an explanation for their issues. Others are relieved they understand the root of their issues. This belief led to women's symptoms not being taken seriously for too long. Hamdani who is known as The Psych Doc on Instagram and TikTok, has decided to dispel the myths about ADHD and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.