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Diagnosing Adult ADHD
The process of diagnosing adult ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing ADHD in children. The majority of the symptoms checklists for children are useless for adults.
A thorough evaluation with a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is usually required. Work or school records could be reviewed, too. Counseling can be beneficial to coworkers, family members, and friends.
Symptoms
ADHD can cause problems at school and at work. They are unable to keep track of assignments and meeting deadlines. They have lost things, forget appointments or medical instructions. They may be impulsive and endanger their health by skipping meals, or avoiding medication that they need. They often 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 task and can easily get bored by boring tasks. They are prone to daydreaming or "zoning out" without realizing it and especially when other people are talking. They are often inattentive and do not answer questions, which makes them appear indifferent or aloof. They may have trouble following instructions and remembering particulars. This can lead to mistakes or incomplete work. They may also become bored quickly and seek out new tasks or challenges.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have difficulty in relationships and often feel like they can't keep up with family and friends. 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 adhere to rules and complete paperwork, as well as meet deadlines. They may be unable manage their time effectively and often leave work before they are finished. They might have a difficult to get along with colleagues or supervisors due to their short temper and inability to listen to others' concerns.
Adults suffering from ADHD do not display the same physical symptoms as hyperactive children, like tapping their feet and fidgeting. Their restlessness can be subtler like checking their watches repeatedly or having difficulty sitting still during meetings. Their unorganized and unprofessional work habits can cause financial problems and loss of jobs.
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD is advised to talk with their primary healthcare provider. The doctor will assess the severity of their symptoms and refer them to a mental health professional to conduct a further assessment. The physician will also inquire about the patient's medical history and whether they are taking any medications that could be incompatible with stimulants.
Family History
It can be a traumatic experience for adults to discover that they have lived with ADHD for years, and are unable to manage their lives. They may have been in embarrassing situations, called "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid", or blamed for things they weren't able to control. They may have had difficulty maintaining relationships or had difficulties in their education or careers because of the symptoms.
After a thorough exam and a thorough history, a qualified mental health professional or physician can determine if the patient has adult adhd. This includes observing the person's behavior in various settings and getting information from family members and close friends. The doctor should also take into account the medical and family history of the individual.
Many women are misdiagnosed as having ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD for women are different than those in males. Women with ADHD are more likely to display inattention symptoms such as trouble staying focused and remembering details and are less likely to display an impulsive or hyperactivity. These differences can make it difficult for women who suffer from ADHD to navigate the workplace and their relationships.
It is important to obtain a complete family history when diagnosing ADHD in adults, since the symptoms usually persist throughout life. The history of the person should demonstrate that the symptoms have been present from childhood and had an enormous impact on the person's performance at school, at work, in their relationships and in other aspects of their life.
If a person's symptoms are not severe enough to warrant the diagnosis of ADHD, the clinician must determine if there are other conditions that often coexist with ADHD and cause similar problems, such as mood disorders as well as learning disorders and addiction disorders (Austerman 2015). A thorough medical examination is required in addition to an evaluation of psychiatric disorders.
Generally, there is no routine imaging test or blood test that can be used to diagnose adults with adhd. A healthcare professional can offer the person they are working with a screening test to assess attention to distraction, short-term memory and concentration. They can also ask them to take tests to assess executive functions like planning, organizing and time management.
Medical History
Some adults do not get the diagnosis of ADHD because their teachers or parents did not recognize the symptoms during their childhood, and they were mistakenly diagnosed as children, or they managed fairly well until they reached adulthood, when the demands on their academic or professional lives increased. Some adults are diagnosed later in life, because they notice their problems getting in the way of working or in relationships or they seek assistance in managing their problems at home or at work. A doctor will review the medical history of the patient in order to determine if there is a family or personal history that suggests depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. A health care professional will also check for thyroid disorders, head injuries as well as alcohol or drug abuse and other physical ailments that can cause similar symptoms.
Adults suffering from ADHD are identified by hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. These difficulties can be experienced at home, at work or school, as well as in social situations. In adults, the signs are more likely to be recognizable as inattention rather than hyperactive. The symptoms of inattention could cause difficulty keeping track of appointments, not remembering them or having difficulty keeping track of various tasks at home and work. get diagnosed with adhd and hyperactive behavior can result in problems managing anger, frustration, or impatience when waiting in line, in traffic, making quick decisions, or being impatient.
Studies show that genetics of a person are a factor in the development of ADHD. Many non-genetic causes are also associated with ADHD. These can include the low birth weight, premature birth and exposure to toxic substances such as tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy, and stress in early childhood.
The treatment for symptoms is usually stimulants. It is essential that the health care professional knows the other medications that the patient is taking because some medicines interact with certain stimulants. A psychiatrist or behavioral health professional will talk about the available medication options with the patient. Patients suffering from ADHD must inform their doctor of any other medical or mental treatment they receive, for example self-help or talk therapy. They can also inquire about participating in a research study to test new medication treatments.
Psychological Evaluation
For diagnosing adult ADHD, a professional psychologist will conduct a psychological examination. This involves a clinical interview and review of relevant documents. The evaluator asks the person to describe their behavior, symptoms, and functioning in a variety of situations, including at 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 from embarrassment or fear. This will allow the doctor to get an accurate picture of how the individual is functioning and what problems they are having.
The evaluator can also interview close family members or acquaintances with the person, like spouses, significant others parents, siblings, or parents. They are asked what they would rate the person using standardized ratings scales based on research comparing the behavior of those 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. They are used to pinpoint areas where the person is struggling, for example, academic achievement, work performance and social interactions. These are typically the areas where the symptoms of ADHD have the greatest impact on the functioning of an individual.
Depending on the problem being evaluated, the evaluator may decide to do additional psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests do not directly diagnose ADHD but they will give the evaluator useful information that can be used to determine the presence and severity of any co-existing disorders such as anxiety or depression.
If a person is looking to hire a psychologist do a psychological evaluation It is recommended for the person to choose a psychologist who is specialized in adults with ADHD. It is also a good idea to ask the person's primary care physician for a referral, or visit an area mental health clinic that offers ADHD services and a hospital affiliated with a university or a graduate school in 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 share details about their experience and training in the evaluation of adults with ADHD. Reluctance to provide this information should be viewed as a red flag, and the person should look for another source.
