Watch Out: How Diagnosing Adult ADHD Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Finding out if an adult suffers from ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing ADHD in children. Most symptom checklists used in children are not suitable for adults.
A thorough evaluation with an therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist is often required. It is possible to review past school or work records. Counseling can be beneficial for coworkers, family members, and friends.
Signs and symptoms
Someone with ADHD often experiences problems at school and at work. They have trouble keeping track of assignments and completing deadlines. They have lost things, forget appointments and medical instructions. They can also 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 others.
Those suffering from ADHD can have difficulty staying focused and get bored easily by boring tasks. They are susceptible to daydreaming or "zoning out" without realizing, especially when others are talking. They are not attentive and aren't able to respond to questions. This makes them appear bored or uninterested. They have difficulty following directions and remembering details, which can lead to mistakes and a lack of work. They may also become bored quickly and seek out new challenges or activities.
Adults who suffer from ADHD struggle with relationships and often feel they're not keeping up with friends and family. They may have trouble managing their finances, which can lead them to make impulsive purchases or incur debt. Their job may suffer because of their inability to follow rules or complete paperwork in time to meet deadlines. They might not manage their time effectively and leave work frequently before they are completed. They may have a difficult to get along with colleagues or supervisors due to their erratic temper and inability to listen to others' concerns.
Contrary to the rambunctious, hyperactive children seen in classrooms, adults who suffer from ADHD seldom show obvious physical indicators of activity, like fidgeting or tapping their feet. Their restlessness may be more subtle, for example when they check their watch, or they might have difficulties sitting still during a meeting. The lack of organization and poor work performance can cause financial problems and job loss.
Anyone who is who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD is advised to speak with their primary care provider. The doctor will evaluate their symptoms and refer them to a mental health professional. In addition, the professional will ask about their medical history and if they are taking any medication that may interact with stimulants.
Family History
It can be devastating for adults to learn that they've been suffering from ADHD for years, and are unable to control their lives. They may have been in embarrassing situations, called "lazy", "irresponsible", or "stupid", or blamed for events they weren't able to control. These issues could have led them to experience difficulties in their relationships, careers or education.
A licensed mental health care professional or physician can identify adult adhd by conducting a thorough exam of the patient and taking a thorough history. This includes observing the patient's behavior in various settings and gathering information from family members and close friends. The doctor should also take into consideration the medical and family histories of the patient.
Many women are misdiagnosed as having ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD in women are different than those in men. Women with ADHD are more likely to exhibit inattentive symptoms such as trouble keeping track of information and staying focused and are less likely to exhibit an impulsive or hyperactivity. These differences could make it more difficult for women with ADHD to navigate their work and their relationships.
It is important to obtain the complete family history prior to diagnosing ADHD in adults, because the symptoms typically persist throughout life. The person's past should prove that the symptoms have been present since childhood and have had a an enormous impact on their performance at school, at work as well as in relationships in other aspects of their life.
If the symptoms of a patient are not severe enough to warrant the diagnosis of ADHD, the clinician must determine if there are other conditions that are often associated with ADHD and cause similar problems, such as mood disorders, learning disorders or substance use disorders (Austerman 2015). In addition to a psychiatric assessment as well as a thorough medical exam is required.
In general, there isn't a blood or routine imaging test that can be used to diagnose adult adhd. However, the medical professional may offer the patient a screening test in the office to evaluate attention, concentration, distractibility and short-term memory. They may also ask him or her to take tests to assess executive function s, like planning, organization, and time management skills.
Medical History
Many adults never receive a diagnosis of ADHD because their teachers or parents were not aware of the symptoms in their early years, they were misdiagnosed as children or did well until they reached adulthood, when the demands of their jobs or academics increased. Other adults are diagnosed later in life because they are noticing that their issues are getting hindering their relationships or work or they seek assistance to deal with their issues at home or at work. A doctor will go over the medical history of the patient to determine if there is any family or personal history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems. A health professional can also check for head injury thyroid disorders, head injuries or alcohol and drug abuse or other physical ailments which can cause similar symptoms.
In adults, the most prominent symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, as well as hyperactivity. The person experiences these difficulties at home, at work, or school, and in social settings. For adults, the signs are more likely to manifest as inattention rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention can cause problems staying organized, forgetting appointments, or having trouble keeping track of various tasks at home and work. Hyperactive and impulsive behavior can lead to problems controlling anger, frustration, or impatience while waiting in line, in traffic, making quick decisions, or being impatient.
Studies show that genetics influence the development of ADHD. In addition, a number of non-genetic factors contribute to the development of ADHD. These can include low birth weight, premature birth and exposure to toxic substances such as alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and stress in the early years of childhood.
The treatment for symptoms is usually stimulants. It is crucial for the health care provider to know which other medications a patient may be taking, as some medicines can interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatric specialist or a behavioral health professional will discuss with the patient the options for medication available. Patients with ADHD should inform their doctor of any other mental or medical treatment they receive, for example self-help methods or talk therapy. They can also ask about taking part in a clinical trial of new treatments for ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
A psychologist who is a professional will conduct a psychological examination to diagnose adult ADHD. This will involve a psychotherapy interview and a review of relevant documents. The person being evaluated is asked to describe their behavior, symptoms, and functioning in different settings, such as at home, school, and work. It is crucial that a person being evaluated discusses these issues honestly without hiding out of embarrassment or fear. This will help the doctor get a complete picture of the individual's functioning and any issues.
The evaluator could also talk to people in the life of the person who are familiar with them like their spouse, significant others, parents or siblings. They are asked what they would rate the person based on the standard scales of ratings which are based upon research that compares the behavior of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from ADHD. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves however they can provide useful information regarding a person's challenges.
The evaluator may also look over other relevant documents, such as old report cards and grades or copies of performance evaluations from work. These documents are used to identify the areas where an individual is struggling with academic performance, work performance and social interactions. In most cases they are the areas where the symptoms of ADHD most affect the performance of a person.
Depending on the problem that is being assessed, an evaluator might decide to perform additional neuropsychological, psychosocial or tests for learning disabilities. These tests don't diagnose ADHD however, they could provide valuable information to the evaluator to determine if there are co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
If a person is looking to hire a psychologist conduct a psychological examination, it is helpful for the client to choose a psychologist who is specifically trained to treat adults with ADHD. Asking the person's primary physician to recommend a psychologist is another excellent idea. You can also reach out to a local mental health clinic that provides ADHD services or a university-based graduate school of psychology to get recommendations. A lot of insurance plans have lists of providers that are based on specialization. Qualified professionals are more than willing to provide information about their training and experience in evaluating adults suffering from ADHD. Reluctance to provide this information should be viewed as a red flag and the person should find an alternative provider.