Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD is more difficult to identify than ADHD in children. The majority of the symptoms checklists for children are useless in adults.
Typically, a thorough assessment by a therapist or psychologist is required. The records from previous school or work could be reviewed, too. Family members, friends, and coworkers members can also benefit from counseling.
Symptoms
ADHD can cause issues at school and at work. They struggle to keep track of assignments and completing deadlines. They often lose things and forget appointments and medical instructions. They can be impulsive and endanger their health by skipping meals, or not taking medication they require. They often react to stress in an overly emotional manner and have difficulty focusing or reading the moods and behaviors of others.
Those suffering from ADHD can have difficulty staying focused and may be easily bored by boring tasks. They are prone to "zone out" or daydream without realizing that they are talking. They are often inattentive and do not answer questions, which makes them appear disinterested or uninterested. They can have difficulty remembering instructions and specifics. This can lead to mistakes or incomplete work. They also can become bored with tasks quickly and are likely to look for new tasks or problems.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty in relationships and feel they cannot keep up with their family and friends. They may have trouble managing their finances and this can lead to impulse purchases and debt. Inability to adhere to rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines can impact their work. They might also be unable to effectively manage their time and often leave work before they're completed. They might have difficulty getting together with their coworkers and supervisors because of their erratic tempers and inability to listen to others.
Adults with ADHD don't show the same physical symptoms as hyperactive children, such tapping their feet and fidgeting. Their agitation may be more subtle, like, by repeatedly checking their watch or having difficulties sitting still during a meeting. Their disorganized and sloppy work habits can lead to financial problems and job loss.
Anyone who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD should visit a primary care doctor. He or she will evaluate the severity of their symptoms and recommend them to an expert in mental health to conduct a further assessment. The provider will also ask about the patient's medical history and if they are taking any medication that might interact with stimulants.
Family History
It can be a traumatic experience for adults to learn that they've suffered from ADHD for years, and aren't able to manage their lives. They may have suffered through embarrassing situations, have been labelled "lazy," "irresponsible" or "stupid," or been blamed for things they couldn't help. The symptoms could have led them to experience difficulties in their relationships, career or education.
A trained mental health doctor or professional can identify adult adhd by conducting a thorough examination of the patient and taking a thorough history. This includes observing the person's behavior in different environments and gathering information from relatives, including family members and friends. The physician should also consider the medical and family history of the individual.
Since the symptoms of ADHD differ in women than men, many women are not diagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to display inattention symptoms such as trouble being focused and retaining information as well as being less likely to exhibit hyperactivity or impulsiveness. Women who are diagnosed with ADHD generally have more difficulties than men when it comes to dealing with the workplace and in their relationships due to these differences.
Obtaining a full family history is crucial to diagnosing ADHD as an adult because the symptoms of the disorder typically persist throughout one's the course of. The history of the person will reveal that the symptoms have been evident since childhood and have had an impact on their performance at work, in school, in relationships, and in other areas.
If the symptoms of a patient aren't severe enough to meet the criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD the doctor should investigate the presence of other conditions that can coexist with ADHD and can cause similar issues, such as mood disorders as well as learning disorders and substance use disorders (Austerman, 2015). In addition to a psychiatric assessment and a thorough medical examination must be conducted.
In general, there isn't a blood or routine imaging test that can be used to diagnose adult adhd. A healthcare professional can offer the person they are working with a screening test to evaluate attention to distraction and short-term memory as well as concentration. They can also ask them to test for executive functions such as organizing, planning and time management skills.
Medical Histories
Some adults never get a diagnosis of ADHD because their parents or teachers were not aware of the symptoms during their childhood, and they were misdiagnosed as kids or they did well until they reached adulthood, when academic or occupational demands became greater. Others are diagnosed later in life, because they are noticing that their issues are getting hindering their work or relationships or they seek assistance in managing their problems at home or at work. A doctor will examine the medical history of the patient to determine if there is a family or personal history that indicates depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. A health care professional may also check for head injury thyroid disorders, head injuries, drug and alcohol use or other physical ailments that can trigger similar symptoms.
In adults, the most prominent symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The person who suffers from these issues is at the workplace, at home or at school, and in social settings. In adults, the signs are more likely to manifest as inattention rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention can result in difficulty staying organized, forgetting appointments, or having trouble keeping track of various tasks at work and home. The impulsive and hyperactive behaviors can cause problems controlling anger or frustration, and can result in being impatient in waiting in lines, driving in traffic, or making quick decisions.
Studies have shown that genetics influence the development of ADHD. A number of non-genetic causes are also linked to ADHD. These can include an infant's weight that is too low, a premature birth as well as exposure to toxic substances such as tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy, as well as stress during early childhood.
The majority of times, the symptoms are treated with medication such diagnosing adhd in adults as stimulants. It is important that the health professional knows what other medications the patient is taking since certain medications interact with stimulants. A psychiatrist or behavioral health professional will go over the available medication options with the patient. Patients suffering from ADHD should inform their physician of any other mental or medical treatment they receive, including talk therapy or self-help techniques. They can also inquire about participating in a clinical study for new medication treatments.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychologist who is a professional will conduct a psychological examination to diagnose adult ADHD. This will involve a psychotherapy interview and a review of relevant 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 home, school, or at work. It is essential that the person being assessed discusses these issues honestly and does not shy away out of fear or embarrassment. This will enable the doctor to get an accurate picture of how the person is performing and what issues they are experiencing.
The evaluator may also interview people in the person's life who know them well, such as their spouse, significant others or parents or siblings. They are asked to assess the person's behavior based on standardized rating scales that are based on research on how behaviors of people with ADHD compare to people who do not have ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic however they can provide useful information regarding a person's challenges.
The evaluator will also review other relevant documents, such as old grades and report cards or copies of evaluations of performance at work. These are used to identify areas where an individual is struggling, for example, academic performance as well as work performance and social interactions. These are the areas in which the symptoms of ADHD are the most significant on the individual's performance.
Depending on the condition being evaluated, the evaluator could decide to perform additional psychological, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however they do provide valuable information to the evaluator to determine whether or not there are co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
It is important to find a psychologist with experience with adults with ADHD when looking for the help of a psychologist for a psychological assessment. Asking the person's primary physician to recommend a psychologist is another excellent idea. You can also contact a local mental health clinic that provides ADHD services or a university-based graduate school of psychology to get recommendations. Many insurance plans have an array of providers arranged by specialty. Professionals with the right qualifications will be more than happy to provide information about their education and experience in assessing adults with ADHD. Refusal to share this information should be viewed as a red-flag and the person should find another source.