Read Much more For Adults
Professionals who treat adults with ADHD offer many adults the opportunity to seek an ADHD assessment. These professionals may be licensed psychologists, therapists or coaches.
Contrary to some online ADHD rating scales, an assessment by an experienced professional can give specific results. A typical evaluation consists of an interview with a patient and one or more people who know the patient well.
1. The history of symptoms
During an evaluation, the health care professional will ask you about any issues that impact your daily routine. For example, you may be struggling to keep up with work or school frequently lose items or have trouble focusing in class or get distracted by events around you. You should also discuss how these issues affect your family and relationships. ADHD can cause problems in friendships, marriages and romantic relationships.
The provider will perform an examination to check for medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The doctor will also review your medical, psychiatric and health history. In addition, the provider will need to know the family history of your parents, since ADHD can run in families.
To be diagnosed with ADHD children and teens need to show symptoms of the disorder in at least two different settings, such as at home and in school. For adults at least five of the six criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) must apply, and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause impairment in functioning in several areas of their lives. The symptoms cannot be better explained by another disorder, like a mood or anxiety disorder.
People who do not have ADHD are often misdiagnosed due to a variety reasons, such as ignorance of the beginning of childhood and conscious exaggeration symptoms. Many adults with ADHD are seeking diagnoses because they are seeking access to disability or medication. It is crucial to use a validated screen for ADHD in adulthood to reduce the chances of making these errors. It is also crucial to include a measure that detects non-credible answers.
2. Medical History
There isn't a standard test for diagnosing ADHD and different doctors use different methods to screen adults. However, Read Much more of experts believe that any successful ADHD screening begins with a thorough interview. This includes asking about medical or psychiatric history and family history prior to childhood. It also examines the person's symptoms and how they impact daily life. Some clinicians utilize an interview in addition to standard behavior ratings scales and questionnaires. They can also employ tests that test the neuropsychological process or other psychometric tests, like spatial and visual, working memory, reasoning (thinking) and various psychometric tests.
Certain medical conditions, such as seizures and thyroid disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. The doctor may do an entire physical examination to rule out these possibilities. Additionally, a psychiatrist will look for any other mental health issues that could be causing the symptoms of the patient, for example anxiety or depression.
For teenagers and children A psychiatrist or psychologist will usually ask permission to speak with teachers, babysitters, coaches and others who have spent time with the child or teenager. This can give a more complete picture of the child's lifestyle and behavior, and can assist in determining the presence of any other disorder that could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms.
For adults psychiatrists or psychologists will typically ask the person about their personal and family background, particularly in relation to the presence of ADHD symptoms in childhood. The doctor will ask whether any family members have been diagnosed with ADHD. The doctor will also ask the person questions about their home and work life, as well as their social life. This will give an insight into how the person is coping with stressors and other issues such as relationship problems or substance abuse.
3. Family History
People with ADHD usually have an history of the disorder in their family. That's because it is a hereditary disorder, and if one or both of your parents suffer from ADHD, the chances are very high that you'll be diagnosed with the same thing.
You'll be asked a lot of questions regarding your childhood, including any symptoms that might have developed. It's essential that health professionals are aware of any issues you may have faced in your childhood since that's when the condition typically manifests. You might be asked what strategies you've learned over the years. Some people learn to hide symptoms as they age.
The process of evaluation can differ and may include an individual interview that lasts up to three hours. The doctor will ask pre-determined specific, standardized questions to improve reliability and decrease the likelihood that different interviewers will come up with different conclusions. The interviewer might ask you what symptoms of a disorder you have encountered in the last six months.
It's commonplace to use rating scale questionnaires in conjunction with a comprehensive ADHD screen. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD and those without. These tests are not diagnostic, but they're an important element of a complete assessment.
It is also possible that the clinician will interview other people, such as teachers or coaches who were involved in your childhood, and also spouses or family members. This will help your doctor gain a better understanding of your symptoms and determine whether you suffer from a mental disorder.
4. Personal Insights
One of the most important aspects of a thorough ADHD evaluation is the doctor's interview. They conduct a well-structured and standardized interview, asking questions that are designed to collect all relevant information. This method increases the credibility and reduces the chance that different evaluations could come to different conclusions about the same individual.
The examiner will want to be aware of all of your experiences with ADHD symptoms that you are experiencing, both in the present and since childhood. You will be asked about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships and life. You will be asked to rate the frequency of your symptoms, ranging from never to very frequently. This is called the Symptom Rating Scale (ASRS) and is available in an online version that you can take on your computer or tablet.
The healthcare professional may utilize other behavioral tests during your appointment along with the standardized ADHD questionnaire. The evaluator may utilize a checklist, a behavior scale for ADHD or other psychometric tests. They may also test for other conditions that sometimes look like or coexist with ADHD, such as mood disorders and learning disabilities.
They can also conduct interviews with other people, such as friends or family, to get a better understanding of the individual's performance. They may also conduct physical examinations and review medical histories to rule out other ailments that could mimic or coexist with ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems. They could also use tests that measure brain activity to determine whether ADHD is present. This is a non-invasive method which involves placing sensors on your scalp to record electrical activity.
5. Tests
There is no single test to determine ADHD. Instead, health care professionals use the combination of physical exams, behavioral tests and questionnaires. Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and neurologists are all qualified to perform an ADHD assessment for adults. They can also suggest support groups for adults with ADHD.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is to discuss the symptoms with a health care professional. It is important to provide complete information. This includes whether the person is taking medication or has ever had a medical issue. Bring any notes or journals describing the person's issues.
A mental health professional may ask about a person’s family history, their surroundings, their school or workplace performance, and their behavior. They may also ask a patient to complete questionnaires and checklists. They can also ask family members, friends and coworkers who observed the patient behave in a certain way. It's not uncommon for doctors to consult teachers or childcare workers for their opinion.
Some doctors use computer tests, also known as continuous performance tests, to screen for ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity. These tests involve the subject sitting in front of a computer which displays a series of targets that are visually visible. The test evaluates the patient's ability to stay focused and complete their tasks, however they are controversial in some circles. Some experts believe these tests are useless and expose patients to excessive amounts of ionizing radioactivity.
Some doctors use brain scans to determine symptoms of ADHD. These tests reveal changes in the activity of the frontal brain lobes. These results are not yet widely accepted and haven't been proven to improve the accuracy of a person's diagnoses.