Who's The World's Top Expert On Diagnosing ADHD In Adults? Diagnosing ADHD in Adults

A health professional can diagnose ADHD. This could be a primary care provider psychiatrist, psychologist or psychiatrist.


A diagnosis of ADHD is dependent on the amount and severity of symptoms, as well as how they affect daily life. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and be causing impairment in more than one environment, such as school or at work.

Identifying signs

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have lived with symptoms for years. But, they may not have realized that they suffered from a mental illness. Others get a diagnosis after they realize that their work performance is declining or their relationships are in trouble. A diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, but can be a bit overwhelming for people in different stages of their lives.

Some of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD in adults include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. A person with ADHD might flutter their arms during a lecture or waiting in the line. They may also forget things easily or struggle to finish tasks on time. Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD often have trouble calming down and may become angry and emotional quickly.

In children, the signs of ADHD are more apparent however, in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity may appear less obviously. For children, hyperactivity could manifest itself in jumping and running, while adults may manifest these symptoms by shifting their weight or tapping their feet. In addition, they may have difficulty sitting still for long conversations or while reading the book.

Adults with ADHD can also have problems with impulse control. This could lead to risky behaviours like driving too quickly or spending money on unnecessary items. They might also find it difficult to resist temptation and delay the gratification which can cause issues at home or at work. People with ADHD often have difficulty with organization. This could make it difficult to keep track with their expenses or financial obligations.

A health care professional will perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about the person's current functioning and examine their medical background, educational and developmental history. They can also talk to family members, teachers, or employers in order to better understand a person's challenges.

A person must have multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must have manifested before the age of 12, and they must impact a number of areas of one's life including school, work, or social life.

Medical Histories

The American Psychiatric Association publishes diagnostic guidelines for ADHD in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition" (DSM-5). Your doctor will go over your family, personal medical, and work history to identify symptoms that match these criteria. It is crucial that you are honest and transparent with your doctor regarding your symptoms, since they will not be able to diagnose you without this information. Some doctors will ask their patients to interview loved ones, such as spouses, parents or siblings, for example -to discuss the impact of ADHD-related behaviors on their lives. This can help the non-ADHD individual gain a better understanding the challenges their loved one faces. It could also help improve the relationship.

ADHD symptoms in adults may differ based on the circumstances, but they are often very similar to the symptoms that characterized ADHD in childhood. Adults usually suffer from ADHD symptoms in a more complex way than children, and their symptoms have a greater impact on their work, school and social life. For instance, adults with ADHD might not be capable of managing their time as well as children and they might have more difficulty finding jobs or maintaining relationships.

For diagnosis the doctor will conduct a thorough medical evaluation, which typically includes an interview with you and any other significant people in your life, a physical exam and laboratory tests to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause ADHD. In addition, you and your family members will be asked to complete questionnaires about symptoms that have affected you in your life.

When evaluating adults who suffer from ADHD as a group, it is important to take into consideration any comorbidities they may suffer from, like depression or anxiety that can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. These disorders can lead to feelings of frustration or underachievement, which are internalized as chronic anger or stress. This can result in a vicious circle where the symptoms that are not treated for ADHD increase the severity of the underlying comorbidities and cause them to flare up even more frequently. This can have a profound effect on your quality of life, making it important to treat both the comorbidities and the ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

A psychological evaluation is typically performed by a health care doctor to determine if a patient has ADHD. This involves a thorough interview with the patient, a complete medical history of the family, and a thorough examination of the documents. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how it affects their daily lives. They will then ask the person to rate symptoms using standardized rating scales or questionnaires.

Adults who seek a diagnosis of ADHD often do so because they notice that their symptoms are affecting multiple aspects of their lives. Their work may be affected by the lack of deadlines or a poor performance in meetings. They may have problems in their relationships if they don't pay attention or wait for their turn. Their home life may be in chaos because they don't pay attention to children or keep up with their chores.

It is important to keep in mind that many people who do not have ADHD have certain symptoms. Stress, mental health problems and physical ailments may all trigger similar symptoms. As ADHD Diagnosis is essential to speak with a health expert and take a thorough examination.

A psychological assessment may also include a detailed look at the person's history, particularly their childhood experiences. A mental health professional might be able to talk to the person's spouse, parents or other family members to get their perspectives about how the person's actions affect their daily lives and relationships.

Additionally a mental health professional will evaluate the person using a series of standardized tests that are designed to assess their cognitive abilities. These tests may include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale (HPRS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF). These tests can help determine if a person has ADHD symptoms.

Sometimes mental health professionals suggest that an individual participate in a clinical trial to test new treatments for ADHD. Although participating in a trial could be beneficial, you should be aware that these trials are primarily designed to gain new knowledge in science and not to treat any particular health issues. If you're interested in knowing more about clinical trials, consult with your doctor or go to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.

Social Evaluation

Many adults who seek an ADHD diagnosis struggle to maintain their stability at home or workplace. They may have trouble keeping up with daily tasks such as cleaning the home or remembering to make and keep appointments, or getting their children ready for school. They might also have difficulty staying on task in the workplace, and often appear restless or "on-edge" when they sit at their desk.

It is essential for a doctor to consider all of these symptoms and how they affect the life of a person prior to making an assessment of ADHD. There are people who have problems with ADHD in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others only struggle with specific areas like work or relationships. The signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are all considered in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman, 2015).

A medical professional will conduct an exhaustive mental evaluation and consider other factors that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD. Stress, mood disorders and head injuries could mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain thyroid disorders, medications and other physical ailments may also cause similar symptoms. It's important to determine if someone suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD can lead to these mental disorders and can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.

The evaluator may also examine the family history of ADHD in order to determine if there is a genetic component. It is widely known that ADHD is largely heritable and research suggests that about 70%-80% of the risk for developing ADHD is caused by genetics. The birth weight of the baby is low, as well as exposure during pregnancy to toxins, and premature birth are all non-genetic factors which can contribute to ADHD.

A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can change your life. Some people feel relieved to finally find a reason for their struggles. Some are relieved they understand the root of their issues. This belief led to women's symptoms not being considered serious for a long time. This is the reason why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and share her own experiences as an ADHD woman.