20 Fun Details About Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Diagnosing Adult ADHDAdult ADHD is more difficult to diagnose than ADHD in children. The majority of the symptoms checklists for children do not work for adults.
Typically, a thorough examination by a psychologist or therapist is required. The records from previous school or work may be reviewed as well. Counseling can be beneficial for coworkers, family members and friends.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD can cause problems at school and at work. They struggle to keep track of assignments and completing deadlines. They frequently lose things and forget appointments or medical instructions. They can also be impulsive, risking their health by skipping meals or avoiding medications they require. They are more likely to react to stress in an overly emotional way and have trouble focusing or reading the moods and behavior of other people.
Those with ADHD have trouble staying on track and easily get bored by boring tasks. They can easily "zone out" or daydream and not even realize it that they are talking. They are inattentive, 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 errors and insufficient work. They may also become bored quickly and seek out new tasks or challenges.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble with relationships and feel they cannot keep up with their families and friends. They may have difficulty managing their money and this can lead to make impulsive purchases or incur debt. Failure to follow rules, complete paperwork and meet deadlines can affect their jobs. They may also be unable to manage their time effectively and frequently leave work before they are completed. They might have difficulty getting together with their coworkers and supervisors because of their tempers that are short and their inability to listen to other people.
Contrary to the boisterous hyperactive children that are often seen in classrooms, adults with ADHD rarely show obvious physical indications of activity, such as tapping their feet or fidgeting. Their restlessness may be more subtle, for instance, by repeatedly checking their watch, or they might have difficulties sitting still during a meeting. Their sloppy and disorganized work performance can contribute to job loss as well as financial problems.
Anyone who is suffering from symptoms of ADHD is advised to speak with their primary care provider. He or she will evaluate their symptoms and recommend them to an expert in mental health to conduct a further assessment. In addition, the provider will ask about their medical history and if they are taking any medications that could interact with stimulants.
Family History
When people are diagnosed with ADHD as adults it can be a devastating experience to discover that they've lived with the disorder for a long time and haven't been able to gain control of their lives. They might have been in embarrassing situations, and were branded "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid" or even blamed for things that they were unable to control. The symptoms may have caused them to have issues in their relationships, careers or education.
A qualified mental health care professional or physician can identify adult adhd by conducting a thorough examination of the patient and taking an extensive history. This includes observing the patient's behavior in various settings, and getting information from family members and close friends. The physician must also consider the medical and family history of the patient.
Many women are misdiagnosed because the symptoms of ADHD for women differ from those in males. Women with ADHD are more likely to display inattention symptoms, such as difficulty being focused and retaining information, and they're less likely to exhibit excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. Women who are diagnosed with ADHD generally have more difficulties than men with managing their work and their relationships due to these differences.
It is essential to get an entire family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, since the symptoms are usually present 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 person's performance at work, in school as well as in their relationships in other aspects of their life.
If the symptoms of a patient are not sufficient to warrant diagnosis, the physician will have to look into other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like learning disorders and mood disorders. In addition to a psychiatric assessment as well as a thorough medical exam must be conducted.
Generally, 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 screening test in the office to evaluate the level of concentration, attention, distraction and short-term memory, or ask them to perform tests to measure executive functions like organizing, planning and time management skills.
Medical Histories
Some adults aren't diagnosed with ADHD because their parents and teachers didn't recognize the signs as children, and they were misdiagnosed or they managed well until they reached adulthood, when academic or occupational demands increased. Other adults are diagnosed later in life, because they see their problems becoming hindering their working or in relationships, or they are seeking assistance in managing their problems at home or at work. A doctor will go over the person's medical history to look for a family or personal history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. A health care professional may also look for head injuries thyroid disorders, head injuries, drug and alcohol use, or other physical illnesses that may cause similar symptoms.
Adults with ADHD are characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. These difficulties can be experienced at home, in the workplace or at school, as well as in social situations. For adults, the signs are more likely to manifest as inattentive rather than hyperactive. The inattentive symptoms may cause difficulty organizing, forgetting appointments, or having trouble keeping track of various tasks at work and home. Hyperactive and involuntary behavior can lead to difficulty controlling anger, frustration, or impatience when waiting in line, in traffic, making quick decisions, or being impatient.
Studies have shown that genetics influence the development and severity of ADHD. Additionally, a variety of non-genetic factors are linked to the development of ADHD. These include low birthweight, premature births, exposure to toxins like smoking cigarettes or alcohol during pregnancy and stress during early childhood.
The treatment for symptoms is usually stimulants. It is essential for the health care provider to know what other medications a patient is taking, as certain medications may interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatrist or behavioral health professional will go over the various options available to the patient. People with ADHD must inform their doctor of any other mental or medical treatment they receive, including self-help or talk therapy. They can ask about participating in a study that studies new medication treatments.
Psychological Evaluation
A professional psychologist will conduct a psychological assessment to determine the presence of adult ADHD. This is a formal interview and a review of relevant documents. The evaluator will ask the person about their behavior, symptoms and functioning in different settings like at home, school and at work. It is essential that the person being evaluated discusses the issues openly, without holding back from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to obtain a complete picture of the person's behavior and issues.
The evaluator can also interview close family members or friends who are familiar with the person, such as spouse, significant other, parents, or siblings. These individuals are asked how they would rate the person based on standardized ratings scales that are based on research and compare the behaviors website of people with ADHD with those without ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic in their own right, but they provide important information about the individual and their challenges.
The evaluator may also look over other relevant documents, such as reports and old grades or copies of evaluations of performance at work. These are used to identify areas where an individual is struggling, such as academic achievement, work performance and social interactions. These are often the areas in which the symptoms of ADHD are the most significant on the individual's performance.
Depending on the problem being evaluated, the evaluator could decide to perform additional psychological, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. These tests will not directly diagnose ADHD but they can provide the evaluator with important information that can be used to help determine the severity and presence of any co-existing issues such as depression or anxiety.
It is crucial to find a psychologist who has experience working with adults suffering from ADHD when looking for the help of a psychologist for a psychological assessment. Asking the person's primary physician for a recommendation is another good idea. You can also contact the local mental clinic that offers ADHD services or a university-based graduate school of psychology to get recommendations. There are many insurance plans that have lists of providers that are based on specialty. Qualified professionals are more than willing to share information about their expertise and training for the evaluation of adults with ADHD. Refusal to provide this information should be viewed as a red-flag and the person should find an alternative provider.