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Diagnosing ADHD in Adults A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could include a primary care provider psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the number and severity of symptoms and how they interfere with everyday life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and cause impairment in more than one setting like school or work. Identifying Symptoms Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have been living with symptoms for many years. But, they may not have realized that they suffered from a mental illness. Many people receive a diagnosis when they realize that their productivity at work is suffering or that their relationships are struggling. A diagnosis can be a shock, but it can also feel overwhelming for people at various stages of their lives. The most frequent symptoms of ADHD in adults include hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. For example, someone who suffers from ADHD might fidget in their chair while they listen to an audio lecture at work or have trouble waiting for their turn in the line. They might forget things easily, or struggle to complete tasks on time. People with ADHD may also have trouble getting comfortable and may become frustrated emotionally easily. In children, signs of ADHD are more evident, but in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity might not be apparent. In children, hyperactivity may manifest as jumping and running, while adults may display these symptoms by shifting their weight or tapping their feet. They might also have problems sitting still when listening to long conversations or reading a book. Adults with ADHD can also have problems with controlling their impulses. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too quickly or spending money on unneeded things. They might also have a hard time resisting the urge to buy something and delaying their satisfaction. This can lead to issues at home or work. People with ADHD also often have trouble with organization, which could make it difficult to keep track of their finances or their bills. A medical professional will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether an individual is suffering from ADHD. They will review a person's developmental, medical and educational background and inquire about their current performance. They may also speak with family members and teachers to gain more insight into a person's struggles. A diagnosis of ADHD requires that the person suffers from multiple symptoms for at least 12 months. The symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12 and they should affect many areas of a person's life, including school, work or their social life. Medical History The American Psychiatric Association has published diagnostic guidelines for ADHD within the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition” (DSM-5). Your doctor will review your medical as well as family and work history to determine if you have symptoms that match these criteria. During this process, you is essential to be honest and honest with your doctor about your problems because they won't be able to diagnose you without the information. Some doctors will ask patients to interview family members, including parents, spouses or siblings, about the effect ADHD-related behaviors have on their lives. This will help the person with no ADHD gain a better understanding of the challenges their loved ones face. It can also enhance the relationship between them. ADHD symptoms in adults may depend on the specific situation however, they are usually very similar to those that characterize ADHD in childhood. Adults typically suffer from ADHD symptoms in a more complicated manner than children, and the symptoms can have more impact on their work, school and social life. For instance, adults who have ADHD might not be capable of managing their time as well as children and they may experience more difficulty finding jobs or maintaining relationships. To determine the 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 laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause ADHD. Your family and you will also be asked to fill out questionnaires regarding the symptoms that have affected you. When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD as a group, it is important to take into consideration any other comorbid conditions they may suffer from, like depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. If these disorders aren't treated, they can contribute to feelings of frustration and low performance which are absorbed as chronic stress or anger. This can create an endless cycle of symptoms that are not treated for ADHD exacerbate the underlying comorbidities that cause them to flare up more frequently. This can have a significant impact on your daily life, so it's important to address the ADHD and the other comorbidities. Psychological Evaluation A psychological evaluation is typically performed by a health care doctor to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. This involves a thorough interview of the patient, a complete medical history of the family, and examining documents. They will ask them to describe the symptoms and how it affects their daily life. They will also ask the person to rate their symptoms using scales of standardization and questionnaires. Adults who seek an assessment for ADHD often do so because they realize that their symptoms are affecting various aspects of their lives. Their work might be affected due to late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They could be having issues in their relationships if they can't listen or wait their turn. Their home life could be chaotic due to the fact that they aren't paying attention to children or complete their chores. It is important to recognize that many people who don't have ADHD experience some of the same symptoms. Stress, mental health issues and physical ailments can all trigger similar symptoms. It is important to seek out the advice of an expert and undergo a thorough evaluation. A psychological assessment will include a detailed look at the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's spouse, parents or other relatives close to them to find out their perspective about how the person's actions affect their daily lives and relationships. A mental health professional might also use a series standard tests to assess the person's cognitive abilities. This could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests will help to determine whether or not the person has symptoms of ADHD. Sometimes, IamPsychiatry will recommend that a person participate in an experimental study to test new treatments for ADHD. While taking part in a trial may be beneficial, you should understand that these studies are mostly designed to help you gain new information in the field of science, not to treat specific health problems. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, talk with your physician or visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage. Social Evaluation Many adults who seek to be diagnosed of ADHD are struggling to stay in a stable state at home or at work. They may be struggling to keep up with everyday tasks such as cleaning the home, remembering and completing appointments, or getting children ready for school. They might also have difficulty staying on task in the workplace and often appear restless or “on-edge” when they are sitting at their desks. Before diagnosing ADHD, it's important that a doctor evaluates all of these symptoms and their impact on a person's daily life. Some people have ADHD-related problems throughout their lives, whereas others have issues in just one area such as relationships or work. The signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are all considered in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Austerman, 2015). A health professional will conduct an exhaustive mental evaluation and also consider other elements that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD. For instance stress depression, head injuries, mood disorders and certain medications, thyroid conditions, and other physical ailments may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. If untreated, ADHD can lead to these psychiatric disorders, which could cause ADHD symptoms worse. The evaluator may also examine the family history of ADHD to determine if there's a genetic component. Research has shown that up to 80 percent of ADHD risk is passed down through the family. The birth weight of the baby is low, as well as exposure to toxins during pregnancy and premature birth are all non-genetic causes that contribute to ADHD. A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. For some, it provides a concrete explanation for their issues, while others feel relief knowing what's causing their challenges. This belief system led to women's symptoms not being recognized for a long time. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and to share her personal experiences as an ADHD woman.