Diagnosing Adult ADHD

The process of diagnosing adult ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing ADHD in children. The majority of the symptom checklists for children do not work for adults.

A thorough assessment with psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is usually required. It is possible to review the work or school records of the past. Co-workers, friends and family members can also benefit from counseling.

Symptoms

ADHD can cause problems at school as well as at work. They are unable to keep track of deadlines and assignments. They have lost things, forget appointments and medical instructions. They may be impulsive and risk their health by skipping meals, or avoiding medications they need. They also have a tendency to react too strongly to stress and have difficulty in focusing on conversations or "reading" the moods and behaviors of other people.

Those suffering from ADHD may have trouble staying focused and get bored easily by monotonous tasks. They are prone to "zone out" or daydream and not even realize it that they are talking. They are unresponsive, and do not respond to questions. This makes them appear bored or uninterested. They aren't able to follow instructions and remembering details, which can lead to mistakes and a lack of work. They can also get bored quickly and are likely to seek out new activities or problems.

Adults with ADHD struggle with relationships and often feel like they can't keep up with their family and friends. They struggle with money management and this can lead to impulsive spending and mounting debt. Failure to follow rules, complete paperwork, and meet deadlines can impact their jobs. They might also be unable to manage their time effectively and frequently quit work before they are completed. They may have a hard working with coworkers or supervisors due to their short temper and inability to listen to other's concerns.

Contrary to the rambunctious hyperactive children in classrooms, adults with ADHD rarely exhibit obvious physical indicators of activity, such as fidgeting or tapping their feet. Their agitation may be more subtle, like, by repeatedly checking their watches, or they might have trouble sitting still in meetings. Their unorganized and messy work habits can lead to job loss and financial problems.

Anyone who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD should see a primary care doctor. They will review the severity of their symptoms and refer them to a mental health professional for further evaluation. In addition, the provider will ask about their medical history as well as whether they are taking any medications that may interact with stimulants.

Family History

It can be devastating for adults to discover that they've been suffering from ADHD for a long time and aren't able to manage their lives. They could have been in embarrassing situations, called "lazy", "irresponsible", or "stupid" or even blamed for things that they were unable to control. They may have had difficulty maintaining relationships, or experienced difficulties in their education or careers because of the symptoms.

A qualified mental health care professional or physician can diagnose adult adhd after conducting a thorough exam of the patient and taking a thorough history. This should include observation of the patient's behavior in various situations and obtaining information from relatives such as family members and friends. The practitioner must also consider a medical and family history of the patient.

Because the symptoms of ADHD differ in women and men, a lot of women are not diagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed. Women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs like difficulty being focused or retaining information. They are less likely than men to display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior. Women who are diagnosed with ADHD often have more trouble than men with dealing with the workplace and in their relationships due to these differences.

It is essential to get the complete family history prior to diagnosing ADHD in adults, because the symptoms usually persist throughout life. The history of the person should demonstrate that the symptoms have been consistently present since childhood and have had a profound impact on the individual's functioning in school, at work, in their relationships and in other aspects of their life.

If the symptoms of a patient aren't severe enough to warrant diagnosis, the physician will have to look into other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disorders. A thorough medical examination should be conducted along with a psychiatric evaluation.

There is no routine imaging test or blood test that can be used to diagnose adults with adhd. However, the healthcare professional may give the patient a test in the office to evaluate the level of concentration, attention, distraction and short-term memory, or ask them to test executive functions, like organizing, planning and time management skills.

Medical History

Some adults never get diagnosed with ADHD because their teachers and parents didn't recognize the signs when they were children, so they were misdiagnosed, or they adapted with ease until they reached adulthood, at which point the demands on their academic or work life increased. Some adults are diagnosed with ADHD later in life, when they realize that their problems are interfering with their work or relationships or they seek help to manage their difficulties in work or at home. A doctor will look over the medical history of the patient in order to determine if there is a family or personal history that could indicate depression, anxiety or other read more mental health issues. A health specialist will also look for thyroid disorders, head injuries and alcohol or drug use and other physical ailments which can trigger similar symptoms.

Adults suffering from ADHD are characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. The person experiences these difficulties at home, at work or at school, as well as in social settings. For adults, the signs are more likely to manifest as being inactive rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention could result in difficulty keeping track of appointments, not remembering them or having difficulty keeping track of various tasks at home and work. Impulsive and hyperactive behaviors can cause problems managing anger, frustration or impatience when waiting in line, in traffic or making quick decisions or simply being impatient.

Studies have shown that genetics influence the development and severity of ADHD. There are a variety of causes that are not genetic and are also associated with ADHD. This includes low birthweight and premature births and exposure to toxins such as alcohol or tobacco while pregnant, and stress in early childhood.

The majority of times, the symptoms are treated with medications like stimulants. It is crucial for the health care professional to know what other medications a patient may be taking, as certain medications can interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatric professional or behavioral health professional will discuss with the patient the options for medication available. Anyone suffering from ADHD must inform their doctor about any other psychological or medical treatment they receive, such as talk therapy and self-help techniques. They can ask about participating in a research study to test new treatments for ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

For diagnosing adult ADHD A professional psychologist will perform a psychological evaluation. This will include a psychotherapy interview and a review of relevant documents. The evaluator will question the person to describe their behavior, symptoms and functioning in different settings such as at home, school and at work. It is important that the person being evaluated is honest about the issues and does not hide from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to get the complete picture of how the person is doing and what issues they are experiencing.

The evaluator can also speak to people in the person's life who are familiar with them like their spouse, significant others parents, siblings, or parents. They are asked how they would rate the person on standard ratings scales that are based on research comparing the behavior of people suffering from ADHD with those without ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic, but they do provide useful information regarding a person's difficulties.

The evaluator will also review other relevant documents, including reports and old grades or copies of evaluations of performance at work. These are used to identify areas where an individual struggles, such as academic achievement as well as performance at work and social interactions. Often they are the areas where the symptoms of ADHD most impact the functioning of an individual.

Depending on the problem that is being assessed the evaluator may choose to take additional psychological, neuropsychological, or learning disability tests. These tests do not directly diagnose ADHD but they can provide the evaluator with additional valuable information that can be used to determine the severity and presence of any co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.

When seeking a psychologist to do a psychological evaluation, it is helpful for the person to choose a psychologist who is specialized in people with ADHD. Asking the person's primary physician to recommend a psychologist is another excellent idea. You can also reach out to the local mental clinic that offers ADHD services or a university-based graduate school of psychology for recommendations. Many insurance plans also have lists of providers according to specialization. Qualified professionals are more than willing to share information on their expertise and training for the evaluation of adults with ADHD. A reluctance to do so is a red flag and the person should seek another service.