Diagnosing Adult ADHD
The process of diagnosing adult ADHD is trickier than diagnosing ADHD in a child. The majority of the symptoms checklists for children are useless for adults.
Typically, a thorough evaluation by a therapist or psychologist is required. It is possible to go through the work or school records of the past. Counseling can be beneficial to co-workers, family members and friends.
Symptoms
ADHD can cause problems at school and at work. They have trouble keeping track of assignments and meeting deadlines. They have lost things, forget appointments or medical instructions. They might even be impulsive and risk their health by not eating or avoiding medication they need. They are also more likely to react to stress and have difficulty in focusing on conversations or "reading" the moods and behavior of other people.
People with ADHD struggle to stay on task and can easily get bored by boring tasks. They are prone to "zone out" or daydream without realizing even when others are talking. They tend to be inactive and don't respond to questions, making them seem uninterested or aloof. They may have trouble keeping track of instructions and retaining details. This can lead to mistakes or work that is not completed. They also become bored quickly and are likely to look for new tasks or challenges.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have issues in relationships and feel that they cannot keep up with their friends and family. They have trouble managing their money which can result in an impulsive spending habit and the accumulation of debt. Their jobs may suffer from their inability to follow the rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines. They may also be unable to effectively manage their time and often quit work before they are done. They might have difficulty getting along with their co-workers and supervisors due to their erratic tempers and inability to listen to other people.
Adults with ADHD don't show the same physical signs that are seen in hyperactive children, like fidgeting and tapping their feet. Their restlessness may be more subtle like checking their watches frequently or having difficulty sitting still during a meeting. The lack of organization and poor work performance can result in financial issues and job loss.
Anyone who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD should consult an primary care physician. He or she will evaluate the severity of their symptoms and refer them to an expert in mental health to conduct a further assessment. In addition, the professional will ask about their medical history and whether they are taking any medication that interact with stimulants.
Family History
If someone is diagnosed with ADHD as adults it can be a shock to discover that they've been living with the condition for years and have been unable to manage their lives. They may have been in embarrassing situations, and were branded "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid" or even blamed for events they weren't able to control. They may have struggled with maintaining relationships, or experienced difficulties in their work or education because of the symptoms.
After a thorough examination and a detailed medical history A qualified mental health professional or physician can make a diagnosis of adult adhd. This should include observation of the patient's behavior in various situations and obtaining information from significant others, including family members and friends. The practitioner must also consider a medical and family history of the individual.
Since the symptoms of ADHD are different in women and men, a lot of women are left undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to show inattentive signs like difficulty being focused or retaining information. They're less likely than men to display hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Women diagnosed with ADHD often have more trouble than men when it comes to dealing with the workplace and their relationships because of these differences.
It is crucial to collect the complete family history prior to diagnosing ADHD in adults, because the symptoms typically persist throughout the course of life. The history of the person should show that symptoms have been present consistently from 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 are not severe enough for a diagnosis, the clinician will need to investigate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disorders. In ADHD Diagnosis to a psychiatric examination as well as a thorough medical exam must be conducted.
There is no blood or routine imaging test that can be used to diagnose adults with adhd. However, the medical professional may offer the patient a test in the office to evaluate the ability to focus, attention, distractibility and short-term memory. They may also request that they perform tests to measure executive functions, such as planning, organization and time management skills.
Medical Histories
Some adults never get diagnosed with ADHD because their teachers and parents didn't recognize the signs when they were children, they were misdiagnosed, or they adapted well until they reached adulthood, when the demands on their academic or work life increased. Some adults are diagnosed later in life, because they see their problems becoming hindering their relationships or work, or they are seeking assistance in managing their problems at home or at work. A doctor will go over the medical history of the patient to look for an individual or family history of anxiety, depression or other mental health problems. A health care professional might also look for head injuries thyroid disorders, head injury, drug and alcohol use, or other physical illnesses that may cause similar symptoms.
For adults, the primary symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, as well as hyperactivity. The person who suffers from these issues is at home, at work or at school, as well as in social situations. In adults, the signs are more likely to be evident as inattentive rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention could cause difficulty staying organized, forgetting appointments, or having trouble managing multiple tasks at home and work. The impulsive and hyperactive behaviors can cause problems controlling anger or frustration, being anxious waiting in line, driving in traffic, or making quick decisions.
Research has shown that genetics can influence the development and severity of ADHD. There are a variety of causes that are not genetic and are also connected to ADHD. This includes low birth weight, premature birth as well as exposure to toxic substances such as alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and stress during early childhood.
The majority of times, the symptoms are treated by medication such as stimulants. It is important that the health care provider knows the other medications that the patient is taking because certain medicines interact with stimulants. A psychiatric or behavioral health professional will talk about the options for medication with the patient. A person with ADHD must inform their doctor about any other psychological or medical treatment they are receiving, including self-help methods and talk therapy. They may ask about participating in a clinical study for new treatments for ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A professional psychologist will conduct a psychological examination to determine the presence of adult ADHD. This will involve a psychotherapy interview and review of relevant documents. The evaluator asks the individual to describe their behavior and their symptoms as well as how they function in a variety of settings, such as at home, school, or at work. It is essential that the person being evaluated is honest about the issues and does not shy away from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to get an accurate picture of how the patient is doing and what issues they are experiencing.
The evaluator may also speak to close family members or acquaintances with the person, for example, spouses, significant others parents, siblings, or parents. These individuals are asked how they would rate the person using the standard scales of ratings based on research comparing the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not suffer from ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic by themselves but they can provide valuable information about the person and their challenges.
In addition to the interview with the patient and additional questionnaires the evaluator is expected to review relevant documents such as old report cards and grades or copies of performance reviews from the workplace. These are used to identify areas where the person struggles, such as academic performance as well as performance at work and social interactions. In most cases, these are the areas where the symptoms of ADHD most impact the performance of a person.
Depending on the problem that is being evaluated an evaluation expert may choose to take additional neuropsychological, psychosocial or testing for learning disabilities. These tests do not directly diagnose ADHD but they will give the evaluator important information that can be used to determine the severity and presence of any co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
It is essential to locate a psychologist who has experience working with adults suffering from ADHD when you are looking for the help of a psychologist for a psychological assessment. It is also a good idea to ask your primary health care provider for a referral, or visit the local mental health clinic that offers ADHD services, a university-based hospital or a graduate school of psychology to get suggestions. A lot of insurance plans have lists of providers based on specialization. Professionals who are qualified are more than willing to provide information on their training and experience in assessing adults with ADHD. Reluctance to provide this information should be viewed as a red flag, and the patient should seek out a different provider.