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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults A health care professional is able to diagnose ADHD. This could be a primary care provider psychiatrist, psychologist or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the number and severity of symptoms and how they affect daily life. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and cause impairment in more than one environment, such as school or work. Identifying the Symptoms Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have suffered from symptoms for years. However, they might not have realized that they suffered from a mental disorder. Many people receive a diagnosis when they notice that their work productivity is suffering or that their relationships are struggling. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but can also be overwhelming for people in different stages of their lives. Hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention are some of the most common ADHD symptoms among adults. Someone with ADHD may fidget while listening to a lecture or wait in line. They may also have difficulty finishing tasks on time or forgetting things quickly. Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty relaxing and may become frustrated and emotional quickly. In children, symptoms of ADHD are more apparent, but in adults, hyperactivity and impulsivity may appear less obviously. For example, in children, hyperactivity may manifest as running and jumping around, whereas adults may exhibit these symptoms more subduedly through shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In addition, they could be unable to remain still during long conversations or while reading an article. Adults with ADHD can also have problems with controlling their impulses. This can lead to risky behaviors like driving too quickly or spending money on unneeded things. They might also have difficulty resisting temptation and delaying gratification. This can cause problems at home or work. People with ADHD typically have issues in organising their lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep up with their expenses or financial obligations. A health care professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether an individual has ADHD. They will ask about the person's current performance and review their medical and educational history as well as developmental. adhd diagnosis uk adults may also interview relatives as well as teachers or employers to get more insight into the struggles of a person. A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months before being diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 and affect multiple aspects of a person's life, including their school, job or 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 look over your personal, family medical, and work history to identify symptoms that satisfy these guidelines. It is essential that you are honest and transparent with your doctor about your symptoms, as they will not be able to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors ask patients to talk to family members, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behavior has on their lives. This could help the person who is not suffering from ADHD gain a better understanding of the challenges that their loved one faces. It may also improve the relationship between them. Adults' ADHD symptoms may vary depending on the situation, but they often appear very similar to the behaviors that characterized the condition in childhood. One of the main differences is that adults tend to suffer from their symptoms in more complicated ways than children, and their symptoms have a bigger impact on their work, social and school lives. Adults with ADHD might not be able manage their time the like children and might have trouble keeping relationships in place or finding a job. For the purpose of diagnosis your doctor will conduct a thorough medical examination, which typically consists of an interview with you and any other important people in your life, a physical exam and lab tests to rule out other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. Additionally you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires about symptoms that have affected you in your life. When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD as a group, it is important to take into consideration any comorbid conditions they might have, such as depression or anxiety, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders aren't treated, they could lead to feelings of frustration and underachievement that are internalized as stress or anger. This can result in an unending cycle of ADHD symptoms can exacerbate the underlying comorbidities and cause flare-ups to occur more often. This can have a major impact on the quality of your life, so it is essential to treat both complicacies and the ADHD. Psychological Evaluation A psychological evaluation is typically conducted by a health care provider to determine if someone has ADHD. This involves a thorough discussion with the patient, an exhaustive medical history of the family, and a thorough review of documents. They will ask them to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will then ask the person to rate their symptoms using standard rating scales or questionnaires. Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD often do so because they notice that their symptoms affect multiple aspects of their lives. They might not be able to do well in meetings or fail to meet deadlines at work. They might struggle in their relationships as they can't listen or wait for their turn. Their home life could be chaotic because they fail to keep up with chores or attend to their children. It is important to keep in mind that many people who do not have ADHD also experience some of these symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments may all cause similar symptoms. It is essential to seek out the advice of a professional and have a thorough assessment. A psychological assessment will provide a thorough analysis of the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might also want to speak with the person's spouse, parents or other relatives close to them to find out their perspective on how the person's behavior have affected their daily functioning and relationships. A mental health professional could also utilize a set of standardized tests to measure the person's cognitive abilities. These tests may include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS), the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale (HPRS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF). These tests can determine if an individual has symptoms of ADHD. Sometimes, mental health professionals will suggest that an individual participate in an experimental study to test new treatments for ADHD. While participating in a clinical study could be beneficial, it's important to understand that the primary purpose of these studies is to acquire new scientific knowledge and not to treat a specific health issue. If you're interested in learning more about clinical trials, talk with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage. Social Evaluation Many adults seeking a diagnosis of ADHD are struggling to maintain stability at home or at work. They may struggle to keep up with everyday tasks such as cleaning the house, remembering to make appointments and keep them, or getting their children ready for school. They might also have a difficult time staying focused in the workplace, and may appear agitated or “on-edge” when they are sitting at their desks. It is essential for a doctor to look at the various symptoms and how they affect a person's life before making a diagnosis of ADHD. Certain people suffer from ADHD-related issues in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others have issues in just particular areas, such as relationships or work. Symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all used in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman 2015). A health professional will conduct an exhaustive mental evaluation and also consider other elements that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD. Stress depression, mood disorders, and head injuries could mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical ailments could also cause similar symptoms. It is crucial to determine if a person suffers from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. Untreated ADHD could lead to these psychiatric disorders that can cause ADHD symptoms worse. The evaluator may also examine the individual's family history of ADHD to see if there is a genetic cause. Research shows that up to 80% of ADHD risk is passed down through the family. Other factors that are not genetic and could cause the development of ADHD include a low birth weight or exposure to toxins in pregnancy or having a premature birth. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a life-altering event. Many people are relieved to finally have an explanation for their difficulties. Others are relieved they know what is causing their issues. In the past, the belief has been that only hyperactive little boys are diagnosed with ADHD and this misconception has led to many women's symptoms being omitted for too long. This is the reason why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.