Diagnosing ADHD in Adults

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

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

Identifying the symptoms

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have been living with symptoms for many years. But, they may not have known that they suffered from a mental illness. Other people receive a diagnosis when they realize that their relationships or work productivity are being affected. A diagnosis could be a shock but it can also be a source of anxiety for people at different stages of life.

Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are a few of the most frequent ADHD symptoms that adults experience. A person who suffers from ADHD may fidget while listening to an audio lecture or waiting in line. They might also have trouble working on their tasks in time or losing things easily. Those with ADHD may also have trouble relaxing and become frustrated and emotionally easily.

In children, the signs of ADHD are more obvious however, in adults, impulsivity and hyperactivity might not be apparent. For children, hyperactivity could manifest in running and jumping and bouncing, while adults might display these symptoms by shifting their weight or tapping on their feet. They might also have difficulty sitting still when listening to long conversations or reading the book.

Adults suffering from ADHD might also have issues with impulse control, which can lead to risk-taking behaviors such as driving too fast or spending money on unnecessary things. They might also find it difficult to resist temptation and delay the gratification, which can lead to issues at home or at work. People with ADHD are also frequently struggling with organization, which could make it difficult to keep the track of their finances or their bills.

A health care professional will conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if a person has ADHD. They will ask about the person's current performance and examine their medical background, educational and developmental history. They might also talk to family members, teachers or employers to understand a person's challenges.

A person must exhibit multiple symptoms for a minimum of 12 months in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 and must affect several areas of one's life such as their job, school 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 personal, family, medical and work history to determine if you have symptoms that satisfy these requirements. In this process, it is important to be open and honest with your doctor regarding your issues since they won't be able to diagnose you without the information. Some doctors ask patients to interview family members, such as parents, spouses or siblings, about the impact the behavior of ADHD has on their lives. This helps the non-ADHD person to gain a clear understanding of the issues their loved one faces and could help their relationship in the future.

ADHD symptoms in adults could depend on the specific situation, but they are often very similar to the symptoms that characterize ADHD in childhood. One of the main differences is that adults often experience their symptoms in more complex ways than children do and their symptoms can are more affecting their work, social, and school lives. For instance, adults who have ADHD might not be able to manage their time as well as children and they might have difficulties finding jobs or maintaining relationships.

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


It is crucial to consider any comorbidities that adults with ADHD may suffer from, for example anxiety or depression. adhd diagnosis uk adults can cause ADHD symptoms worse. If these disorders are not treated, they could lead to feelings of frustration and low performance that are internalized as stress or anger. This can lead to an unending cycle where symptoms that are not treated for ADHD exacerbate the underlying comorbidities that cause them to flare up more frequently. This can have a significant impact on the quality of your life, making it crucial to treat both complicacies and the ADHD.

Psychological Evaluation

When a doctor wants to determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD, they usually conduct a psychological assessment. This includes a thorough interview with the patient, an exhaustive medical history of the family, and an extensive review of medical records. They will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They will ask the person to rate their symptoms using standard rating scales or questionnaires.

adhd uk diagnosis who seek a diagnosis of ADHD are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD when they observe that their symptoms are affecting different aspects of their life. Their work might be affected due to late deadlines or poor performance in meetings. They could have issues with their relationships if they are unable to listen or wait for their turn. Their home life may be chaotic due to the fact that they don't pay attention to their children or manage their chores.

It is important to recognize that many people who do not have ADHD suffer from some of the same symptoms. A variety of factors could cause similar issues, such as stress, other mental health issues and physical illnesses. It is essential to seek out the advice of an expert and have a thorough assessment.

A psychological assessment will provide a thorough analysis of the person's past, specifically their childhood experiences. A mental health professional may also want to speak to the person's parents, spouse, or other close family members to find out their opinion on the person's behavior and how it affects their daily functioning.

Additionally an expert in mental health will evaluate the person with a series of standard tests designed to measure their cognitive capabilities. This could include the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale as well as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). These tests can help determine if the person has symptoms of ADHD.

Mental health professionals may suggest that a person participate in a study to determine whether they are hyperactive. Although participating in a trial can be beneficial, you should be aware that these trials are mostly designed to help you gain new knowledge in science and not to treat particular health issues. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, speak with your doctor or go to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.

Social Evaluation

Many adults seeking a diagnosis of ADHD struggle to keep their balance at home or at work. They may have trouble keeping up with daily tasks such as cleaning the home or remembering to schedule appointments and keep them, or getting their children ready for school. They may also have difficulty staying on task at work and are often anxious or "on edge" when sitting in the office.

It is crucial for a doctor to consider the various symptoms and how they impact a person's life before making the diagnosis of ADHD. Some people have ADHD-related problems in multiple areas of their lives, whereas others have issues in just one area such as work or relationships. The signs of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are all used in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD (Austerman 2015).

A health care professional will conduct a thorough mental health evaluation and will consider other factors that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Stress, mood disorders and head injuries can all mimic ADHD symptoms. Certain medications, thyroid conditions and other physical ailments could cause similar symptoms. It is also essential to determine whether a person suffers from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. If not treated, ADHD could lead to these psychiatric conditions, and they may cause the symptoms of ADHD worse.

The evaluator may also examine the family history of ADHD to determine if there's a genetic cause. It is widely known that ADHD is largely heritable, and research suggests that around 70% to 80 percent of the risk of developing ADHD is inherited. A low birth weight, exposure during pregnancy to toxins, and premature birth are all factors that are not genetic that contribute to ADHD.

A diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can alter your life. For some, it offers an explanation for their struggles and for others, it brings relief knowing the root of their problems. This belief system led to women's symptoms not being recognized for a long time. This is why Hamdani has taken to TikTok and Instagram as The Psych Doc to dispel these myths and share her personal experiences as an ADHD woman.