ADHD Diagnostic Assessment For Adults
Ask your primary care physician to recommend you to a health specialist who performs ADHD assessments if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or local support group to get recommendations.
Your evaluator takes a detailed description of your life including your symptoms. They may employ one of several behavior rating scales which list the most common ADHD symptoms.
The Evaluation Process
A typical assessment for ADHD includes a few steps. The first is for the examiner to collect an exhaustive background on your health which includes your birth, and your development from childhood. The examiner also wants to know about your work, school and relationships. You will be asked questions like whether you are often late for appointments or meetings, if you have difficulty keeping track of your expenses and schedule as well as how often you misplace your keys or phone and if your sleeping patterns are normal.
The examiner may employ a variety of standardized rating scales in the interview that compare the behavior of those who do not have ADHD. These are not considered diagnostic by themselves, but they can be important to the process of finding out if you have this disorder. Your partner and you will likely be asked to complete these ratings scales by the evaluation expert.
Physical examinations are also part of the evaluation and the examiner will likely be interested in knowing whether you have any medical problems such as seizures or thyroid problems that may resemble symptoms of ADHD. This information will allow the examiner to rule out any of these conditions.
The evaluator must establish that your symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life to determine if you suffer from ADHD. It can be a challenge to determine, especially when the symptoms are mild. 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 condition like depression or an anxiety disorder.
The examiner will review the results of the standardized rating scales and the interviews to make a decision on whether you suffer from ADHD. They will also take into account any other psychiatric conditions or learning disabilities that you may be suffering from, as they may often coexist with ADHD.
It is important to choose the right specialist for you, so do your research prior to making an appointment. Examine the certifications of the practitioner and academic qualifications and talk to previous patients and clients. Examine the cost and whether your insurance will cover it.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can have a profound impact on the way people view themselves. It can also aid them in understanding why they've struggled so much in their lives, both personally and professionally. For instance, if you have trouble finding your keys or not remembering things at work, or your relationships are in a state of tension due to your difficulty with attention and impulse control, receiving a diagnosis could be life-changing.
In addition to an in-depth patient interview, doctors employ questionnaires or checklists to will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They'll also look at your medical and mental history from childhood to the present. Some professionals may ask for feedback from those who are familiar with you, like your spouse, sibling, parent, teacher, coach, or your nanny if you're an adult. This gives you an insight that isn't possible using only questionnaires.
It is crucial to be honest in this process. The symptoms must be evident in two different areas of the person's life (work or school, and social life) for an ADHD diagnosis to be established. Adults must have a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 in the last 6 months- to receive a diagnosis. Your doctor will also want to know your childhood experiences, so be prepared to provide any relevant information you've got.
Once the clinical interview has been completed the evaluator will make the determination whether ADHD is the reason behind your symptoms. The evaluator then will determine which tests will help to determine or rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
These include behavioral and cognitive tests that measure how the brain functions in various situations. Neuropsychological tests can also be useful as they offer more understanding of strengths, weaknesses, and other factors.
Ask your primary care physician or a therapy provider you have already seen for recommendations if you're not sure of the right person to ask for an assessment. On the Internet, you can locate information on health care providers who specialize in ADHD. Many insurance plans list the specialists according to their specialties, and many support groups for adults ADHD sufferers have members who can recommend professionals in your area.
Finding an Treatment Plan
You may be asked to complete an extensive interview with the clinician. They will ask you questions about your life and ability to perform specific tasks. The clinician may also ask for ADHD symptoms checklists or standardized behavior rating forms. Your evaluator may also want to speak with those who spend a significant amount of their time with you. This includes your spouse, colleagues and family members. The evaluator may also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether you suffer from difficulties with learning or other issues that could cause symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of ADHD. You may need to undergo medical tests to rule out specific medical issues, like thyroid disorders and seizure disorders, which could mimic the effects of ADHD.
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing adults is that most medical professionals have preconceived ideas 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 get a diagnosis especially if you're an adult of color, an LGBT person, or are not a native English speaking.
After you have all the information the evaluator will issue the diagnosis. She will likely base her decision on the extent to which your ADHD symptoms affect your ability to function in your everyday life, like having trouble keeping your job or maintaining an appropriate relationship. She'll also look at your past and determine if you've been diagnosed with ADHD prior to.
If she determines that medication is the most effective treatment for you, your doctor will prescribe it. However, adhd assessment in adults may also recommend other treatments like therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies are designed to assist you in improving your life quality and manage your symptoms. The therapy aspect of the treatment can aid you in developing strategies to manage your symptoms, while the cognitive aspect of the treatment focuses on changing how you think about yourself and your problems.
Finding a Professional
Adults have a much harder diagnosis of ADHD than children. The DSM-V is useless for adults. Instead the disorder is identified by a psychiatric expert who conducts a thorough interview and systematically analyzes the signs.
The examiner will inquire about your past experiences with symptoms, especially during childhood, and how they've affected you throughout your life. He or she will also talk to your close family members and friends. This isn't a way to criticize or test your answers, it's simply to gain knowledge. The evaluator could be asking you to fill out an assortment of standard behavioral rating scales. These are questionnaires used in ADHD assessments and can assist the evaluator to fill any gaps that were not identified during the one-onone interview.
You may need to undergo additional tests, such as cognitive tests, to rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions can include thyroid disorders, anxiety, depression and seizures. You may also be given urine or blood tests to check nutritional deficiencies.
You might be asked to reveal any medications you take or have recently taken. During the interview, the evaluator will determine whether or not your symptoms meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis based on the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines.
After you've been diagnosed, you can receive the assistance you need to overcome your disorder, its effects on work, relationships as well as your family life and your overall well-being. You can also take steps to reduce the impact of ADHD on other people.
It's essential to discuss your ADHD with your friends and colleagues, so they are aware of your struggles and can offer support when needed. Additionally, it's recommended to seek out an ADHD coach to assist you in staying on course with your goals and manage your symptoms.