ADHD Diagnostic Assessment For Adults
If you think you might have ADHD, consult your primary care physician for an appointment with a health specialist who conducts ADHD evaluations. You can also contact your insurance company or local support group to get recommendations.
Your evaluator will take an in-depth look at your life and the symptoms you experience. They could use one of several behavior rating scales which provide a list of the most common ADHD symptoms.
The Evaluation Process
Typically, a test for ADHD involves a number of steps. The first step is for the examiner to get an exhaustive medical history, including your birth, and development since childhood. The evaluator also wants to be aware of your school, work and personal relationships. They'll ask you questions about things like if you are often late for meetings or your appointments, if you are having difficulties keeping your schedule and bills, how many times you lose your keys or phone and if your sleep patterns are normal.
During the interview the examiner will use a variety standardized rating scales to compare your behavior with those of people who do not have ADHD. These scales do not provide diagnostic information however they can help in determining if you have ADHD. The evaluator will also likely request you and your partner to complete these scales of rating.
adhd assessment adults is a part of the evaluation, and the evaluator will probably want to know if you have any medical problems such as a thyroid problem or seizures that may resemble the symptoms of ADHD. This information will help the evaluator to rule out these conditions.
The examiner must determine if your symptoms significantly affect your daily life to diagnose ADHD. It can be a challenge to determine, especially if symptoms are not severe. You might find it difficult to stay organized or meet deadlines at work. However, it's unclear whether this is due to ADHD or another disorder like depression or an anxiety disorder.
The examiner will review the results of the standardized ratings scales and the interviews to make a determination regarding whether you have ADHD. They will also consider any other mental health conditions or learning disabilities you might be suffering from, as they may often coexist with ADHD.
It is important to choose the right specialist for you, so do your homework before making an appointment. Check the professional's certification and academic degrees and talk to previous clients and patients. Also, look up prices and whether your insurance will cover the cost of the service.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can make a massive difference in the way people view themselves. It will also help them understand why they've been unable to overcome their challenges in their lives, both personally and professionally. For example, if you have trouble finding your keys or not remembering things at work, or your relationships are strained because of your difficulty with focus and impulse control, obtaining the right diagnosis could transform your life.
In addition to an in-depth patient interview, doctors will utilize questionnaires or checklists to inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also take into consideration your mental and medical history from childhood to the present. Some professionals will seek feedback from others who are familiar with you for example, a spouse or sibling for an adult, or a parent, coach, teacher or nanny of the child. This can provide knowledge that isn't achievable using only questionnaires.
It is essential to be honest throughout this process. For an ADHD diagnosis symptoms must be evident in at least two aspects of one's life, including school, work, and social life. Adults need to meet the threshold for symptoms lower than children--5 out of 9 during the last six months--to be eligible for the diagnosis. Your doctor will also want to understand your childhood experiences, so be prepared to share any pertinent information you've got.
After the clinical interview, the evaluator decides if ADHD is the reason for your problems. They will then examine the types of tests that could help them confirm or rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
These include behavioral and cognitive tests that measure how the brain functions in various situations. Neuropsychological tests can be beneficial, since they offer more understanding of strengths, weaknesses, and other factors.
If you are unsure of whom to go to for an assessment, try asking your primary care physician or a therapist that you already visit for recommendations. On the Internet you can find information on healthcare professionals who specialize in ADHD. Most insurance plans list the specialists in their specialties, and many support groups for people with ADHD have members who can recommend specialists in your area.
How to get an effective treatment plan
Your assessment could include a thorough interview with the clinician, who will ask questions about various aspects of your life as well as your ability to perform tasks. The doctor will likely ask you to complete ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behavior rating scales. Your evaluator will also want to speak to anyone who spends a lot of time with you, like your spouse, colleagues at work and other family members. The evaluator could also use cognitive tests to determine if you suffer from issues with learning or any other issue which can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. You may require medical exams to rule out specific medical conditions, like seizures and thyroid disorders, which can sometimes cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
One of the biggest issues in diagnosing adults is that a lot of medical professionals have preconceived notions about what an ADHD diagnosis entails and they are usually not able to assessing someone who doesn't fit these molds. This can make it difficult to determine the correct diagnosis, especially for people of color, LGBT people, or non-native English speaking.
Once she has all the necessary information the evaluator will issue an assessment. She will likely base her decision on how ADHD symptoms affect your ability to function in your everyday life, such as having trouble keeping your job or maintaining an appropriate relationship. She'll likely also examine your past and determine if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD prior to.
If she concludes that medication is the best treatment for you, your physician will prescribe it. However, your evaluation provider may also suggest other treatments, such as therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies aim to aid you in controlling your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. The therapy component of the treatment can aid you in developing strategies to manage your symptoms, while the cognitive part of the treatment is focused on changing the way that you think about yourself and the issues you face.
Find a Professional
Adults have a more difficult time diagnosing ADHD than children. The DSM-V is useless for adults. Instead the disorder is diagnosed by a psychiatrist who conducts a thorough interview and carefully considers the symptoms.
The evaluator will ask about your past experiences with symptoms, especially during the early years of your life and how they have affected you throughout the years. They may also ask close relatives and family members. This isn't to check on your responses or to be critical; it's just to gain additional information. The evaluator could be asking you to fill out an assortment of standard behavioral rating scales. These are commonly used in ADHD evaluations and the examiner will utilize them to fill in gaps that he or she can't find during the one-on-1 interview.
You may have to undergo additional tests, such as cognitive tests, to rule out any conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions include thyroid disorders as well as anxiety, depression, and seizures. You may also be offered urine or blood tests to test for nutritional deficiencies.
Finally, you might have to disclose information about any medication you are currently taking as well as the medications you have taken in the past. During the interview, your evaluator will determine if you meet the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis according to the American Psychiatric Association diagnostic guidelines.
Once you have a diagnosis, you can get the help you require to overcome your condition and eliminate its effects on your home, work life, relationships, and well-being. You can also take steps to reduce the effects of ADHD on others.
It's important that you discuss your situation with friends and colleagues, so they are aware of your struggles and are able to offer assistance in the event of need. It's also an excellent idea to seek out an ADHD Coach to assist you with managing your symptoms and stay on the right track.