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Diagnosing Adult ADHD
Diagnosing adult ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing a child. The majority of the symptoms checklists used for children are useless for adults.
Typically, a thorough evaluation by a psychologist or therapist is required. Work or school records could be reviewed, too. Counseling can be beneficial for co-workers, family members and friends.
Symptoms
ADHD can cause problems at school and at work. They have difficulty keeping on top of deadlines and assignments. They frequently lose things and forget appointments and medical instructions. They might even be impulsive and risk their health by not eating or avoiding medication they need. They tend to react to stress in an overly emotional way and have trouble focusing or reading the moods and behavior of others.
Those with ADHD can have difficulty staying focused and become bored easily with boring tasks. They are more likely to be distracted or "zoning out" without even realizing it and especially when other people are talking. They are often inattentive and don't respond to questions, which makes them appear uninterested or aloof. They have trouble following instructions and recalling specifics, which can lead to mistakes and incomplete work. They may also get bored quickly and look for new tasks or challenges.
Adults with ADHD have difficulty in relationships and often feel that they're not keeping up with their family and friends. adhd uk diagnosis may struggle with managing their money, which can lead them to impulsive purchases and debt. Their job may suffer because of their inability to follow rules and complete paperwork, as well as meet deadlines. They may also not be able to manage their time effectively and frequently leave work before they are finished. They might have a difficult working with coworkers or supervisors due to their erratic temper and inability to the concerns of others.
Adults with ADHD don't show the same physical signs as children with ADHD, such as fidgeting and tapping their feet. Their restlessness may be more subtle and include constantly checking their watches or having trouble sitting down in meetings. Their sloppy and disorganized work performance can contribute to job loss as well as financial problems.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of ADHD is advised to consult their primary care physician. The doctor will evaluate the severity of their symptoms and refer them to a mental health professional. Additionally, the doctor will ask about their medical history and if they are taking any medication that could interact with stimulants.
Family History
It can be a devastating experience for adults to discover that they've been suffering from ADHD for a long time and are unable to control their lives. They may have experienced embarrassing situations, been called "lazy," "irresponsible" or "stupid," or been blamed for things they couldn't help. The symptoms could have led them to have issues in their relationships, career or education.
A licensed mental health care specialist or doctor can diagnose adult adhd after conducting a thorough examination of the patient and taking a comprehensive history. This should include observing the person's behavior in different environments and gathering information from relatives such as family members and friends. The physician should also consider the medical and family history of the person.
Since the symptoms of ADHD are different in women and men, a lot of women are left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Women with ADHD are more likely to exhibit inattention symptoms, such as difficulty staying focused and remembering details as well as being less likely to display excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. These variations can make it difficult for women with ADHD to navigate the workplace and their relationships.
It is essential to get an entire family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, since the symptoms typically persist throughout life. The history of the person should demonstrate that the symptoms have been present since childhood and have had a an enormous impact on the person's performance at work, in school, in their relationships and in other areas of their life.
If the symptoms of a patient are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis, the clinician will have to look into other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like mood disorders and learning disorders. In addition to a psychiatric assessment, a complete medical examination must be conducted.
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 person a screening test in the office to assess the ability to focus, attention, distractibility and short-term memory, or ask him or her to perform tests to measure executive functions like planning, organization, and time management skills.
Medical History
Some adults aren't diagnosed with ADHD because their teachers and parents didn't recognize the signs when they were children, and they were misdiagnosed, or they adapted with ease until they reached adulthood, at which point the demands of their jobs or academics increased. Other adults are diagnosed later in life, because they notice their problems getting out of control in their work or relationships, or they are seeking assistance to deal with their issues at home or at work. A doctor will look over the medical history of the patient to determine if there is a family history or personal history that suggests anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. A health specialist will also look for thyroid disorders, head injuries as well as alcohol or drug abuse as well as other physical illnesses which can trigger similar symptoms.
For adults, the primary symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These difficulties can be experienced at home, at work or school, as well in social situations. Adults are more likely than children to experience symptoms of hyperactivity, as opposed to inattention. The symptoms of inattention could result in difficulty staying organized, forgetting appointments, or having trouble keeping track of various tasks at home and work. The impulsive and hyperactive behaviors may cause difficulty controlling anger or frustration, and can result in being impatient waiting in line or driving in traffic, or taking quick decisions.
Research has shown that genetics of a person play a role in the development of ADHD. There are a variety of causes that are not genetic and are also linked to ADHD. These can include an infant's weight that is too low, a premature birth as well as exposure to toxins like alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and stress during early childhood.
Often, a person's symptoms are treated by medication such as stimulants. It is crucial that the health care professional knows what other medications the patient is taking because certain medicines interact with stimulants. A psychiatric or a behavioral health professional can discuss with the patient the various options for treatment. Patients with ADHD must inform their doctor of any other mental or medical treatment they receive, such as talk therapy or self-help techniques. They can also inquire about taking part in a research study to test new treatment options for ADHD.
Psychological Evaluation
To determine if an adult suffers from ADHD, a professional psychologist will conduct a psychological assessment. This involves a consultation with a clinician as well as a review of relevant documents. The evaluator will question the individual about their behavior, symptoms and performance in different settings such as school, home and at work. It is crucial that the person being assessed talks about these issues in a candid manner and does not shy away out of fear or embarrassment. This will allow the doctor to obtain the complete picture of how the individual is performing and what issues they are experiencing.
The evaluator is also able to interview close family members or acquaintances with the person, like spouses, significant others, parents, or siblings. These individuals are asked to evaluate the person's behavior based on standardized rating scales that are based on research on how the behaviors of those with ADHD compare with those of those who don't have ADHD. These ratings aren't diagnostic by themselves however they can provide useful information regarding a person's challenges.
In addition to the patient interview and additional questionnaires, the evaluator will usually review relevant documents such as old report cards and grades or copies of performance reviews in the workplace. These documents are used to determine the areas in which an individual is struggling with academic performance, work performance, and social interactions. These are the areas where symptoms of ADHD have the most impact on an individual's functioning.
Depending on the problem being assessed, the examiner could decide to perform additional neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests are not able to diagnose ADHD however they do provide valuable information to the evaluator to determine whether or not there are any co-existing conditions like anxiety or depression.
When seeking a psychologist to conduct a psychological examination it is beneficial for the person to find one who specializes in people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to ask the person's primary care physician for a referral, or contact a local mental health clinic that offers ADHD services such as a hospital that is a university or a graduate school of psychology for suggestions. A lot of insurance plans have lists of providers according to specialty. Professionals who are qualified will be more than happy to share information about their education and experience in assessing adults with ADHD. Reluctance to provide this information should be seen as a red flag and the person should look for another provider.
