Updates to The Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD
In recent years, there’s been a significant rise in the number of people seeking assessments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), particularly among adults. While ADHD has historically been associated with children, growing awareness of the condition in adults is one of the main reasons for this surge in assessments.
How ADHD is diagnosed has changed and evolved. Previous assessments for ADHD would be focused on more noticeable or disruptive behaviors, but the modern understanding now includes inattentive symptoms that are not as obvious. This has meant that women and people who have an inattentive type of ADHD were overlooked at school and as adults they are now being diagnosed.
Greater Understanding of Adult ADHD
Baack in the 1980’s, it was thought that ADHD diagnosed in children was no longer a problem when they became adults. Fortunately research on ADHD has highlighted that not all children with ADHD fall into this category and many go on to continue to experience ADHD symptoms into adulthood. It is those adults who did not fit the criteria for diagnosis or were missed who are now realising that they too may have ADHD.
Awareness that ADHD in adults often looks different compared to children, with a greater emphasis on internal symptoms like forgetfulness, anxiety, and difficulty organising tasks. This development in a better understanding of adult ADHD has resulted in more people consideriung their own symptoms and challenges and seeking a diagnosis.
ADHD Assessments by Video Services
With the expansion of video psychology sessions, in recent years this has made ADHD assessments even easier. People who might have previously hesitated due to time constraints or access due to their location are now able to get access to ADHD assessments from home without the need for a visit to the psychology clinic.
