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Professionals who treat adults with ADHD offer many adults the opportunity to seek an ADHD assessment. These professionals could be licensed psychologists, therapists or coaches.
A professional with experience can give concrete results, unlike some online ADHD ratings scales. A typical evaluation includes an interview with the patient and an individual who knows him or her very well.
1. History of Symptoms
During an evaluation, the health care professional will ask about issues that impact your daily routine. It may be difficult to keep up with work or school or lose items frequently, have trouble concentrating in class, or are easily distracted by things happening around you. You should also talk about how these issues impact your family and relationships. ADHD can cause problems in marriages, friendships, and romantic relationships.
The doctor will perform an examination to determine if you have medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The doctor will also review your medical, psychiatric and health history. Additionally, the doctor will need to know your family history, since ADHD can run in families.
Teens and children who are diagnosed with ADHD must exhibit symptoms in at least two different settings, including at home and in school. Adults must satisfy at least five out of six criteria from the Diagnosis Statistical Manual for mental Disorders (DSM-5), and their symptoms must be severe enough that they interfere with functioning in multiple areas of daily life. The symptoms cannot be attributed to other conditions, like depression or anxiety.
Some people who do not have ADHD are misdiagnosed due to a variety reasons, such as not knowing that the symptoms started in childhood or exaggerating them. A few adults suffering from ADHD are seeking diagnoses as they seek access to medication or disability accommodations. To minimize the chance of these errors it is crucial to have a reliable, validated test for ADHD in adults. It is also essential to include a measure that detects false answers.
2. Medical History
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD and some doctors use different methods for screening adults. However, the majority of experts believe that any effective ADHD screening starts with a thorough interview. This involves asking about medical or psychiatric history and family history since childhood. It also examines the patient's symptoms and how they affect the way they live their lives. Some clinicians utilize an interview in addition to standard behavior questionnaires and ratings scales. They might also utilize neuropsychological testing or other psychometric tests such as visual and spatial, working memory reasoning (thinking), and other psychometric tests.
Some medical conditions, like seizures and thyroid problems can trigger symptoms that resemble those of ADHD. The doctor might conduct an extensive physical exam to rule out the possibility of these conditions. A psychiatrist will also look for any other mental disorders that might be the cause of symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
For children and teens A psychiatrist or psychologist will often ask for permission to interview teachers, babysitters, coaches and other people who have been with the child or teen. This can provide an overall picture of the child's life and behavior, and could help identify the presence of other disorders that may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms.
A psychiatrist or psychologist will inquire about adults' family and personal history particularly when ADHD symptoms were evident in the early years of childhood. The doctor will inquire whether any family members have been diagnosed with ADHD. They will also interview the individual about their home, work and social life. This will help determine whether or not the individual is coping with stressors or struggling to deal with other issues, such as issues with relationships or drug abuse.
3. Family History
People who suffer from ADHD typically have an ancestry of the disorder in their family. It is highly heritable, so if you or your parents are diagnosed with ADHD and you're a child, it's likely you will also be.
As a result, you'll likely be asked lots of questions about your childhood and any symptoms that might have occurred during that time. It's important that health professionals are aware of any issues you may have had in childhood, because that's the time when the disorder typically develops. You might even be asked about any masking techniques you might have learned over time as certain people learn to conceal their symptoms over time.
The process of evaluation is different however, it typically involves an in-person meeting that can take up to three hours. The doctor will ask standard questions that have been planned to increase reliability and reduce the chance of interviewers coming up with different conclusions. The interviewer might ask you what the most common symptoms of a disorder you have encountered in the last six months.
It's common to use rating-scale questionnaires as part of an overall ADHD screen. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who don't. These tests aren't diagnostic, but they are an important part of a comprehensive assessment.
It is also possible that the practitioner will also ask about others, like teachers or coaches who worked with you during your childhood, as well as spouses or family members. This can help the practitioner gain a fuller picture of your symptoms and determine whether they could be caused by a mental health disorder.
4. Personal Insight
The consultation with the clinician is one of the most crucial elements of an extensive ADHD assessment. They conduct a structured and standardized interview, posing questions that are designed to gather all relevant information. This method increases the reliability of the interview, and reduces the possibility of different evaluations coming to different conclusions about a person.
The examiner wants to learn about your ADHD symptoms in the past and present and also since your childhood. You will be asked about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships and lifestyle. You will be asked to assess the frequency of your symptoms ranging from rarely to frequently. This is the Symptom Rating Scale, and it is accessible online via your computer or tablet.
In addition to filling out a standard ADHD questionnaire, the healthcare professional may also use other behavioral assessments during your appointment. They could include a list of symptoms as well as a scale to rate behavior for ADHD and other psychometric testing as determined appropriate by the evaluation expert. They can also look for other conditions that sometimes look like or are co-occurring with ADHD like mood disorders and learning disabilities.
They can also talk to other sources, such as family members or friends, to gain a better understanding of the individual's functioning and the severity of their ADHD symptoms. They may also conduct an examination and look over medical records to rule out any conditions that may coexist with ADHD related issues, like thyroid disorders or seizures. They might even use a test for brain waves to determine the brain activity associated with ADHD. This is a completely non-invasive procedure that involves placing sensors on the scalp to monitor electrical activity.
5. Tests
There isn't a single test to determine ADHD. Instead healthcare professionals employ a combination physical exams as well as behavioral tests and questionnaires. Adult ADHD assessments can be done by psychiatrists, as well as psychologists, neurologists and psychotherapists. They can also suggest an adult support group for those with ADHD.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is to discuss symptoms with a health care professional. It is important to provide precise information. This includes if the patient is taking medication or has had medical issues. Bring any notes or journals describing the person's issues.
A mental health professional may ask about a person’s family history, their surroundings and workplace performance, as well as their behavior. They might also ask a patient to fill out checklists and questionnaires. They may also interview relatives, friends and coworkers who observed the patient behave in a particular way. It's not uncommon for the doctor to consult with teachers or childcare workers for their input as well.
Some doctors use computer tests, called continuous performance tests, to test for ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity. These tests involve the subject sitting in front of a computer screen that displays a series of visual targets. The test measures a patient's ability for focus and to complete tasks. However it's controversial in certain circles. Some experts believe that these tests aren't useful and expose patients to excessive levels of ionizing radiation.
Some doctors utilize brain scans to detect symptoms of ADHD. These tests reveal changes in the activity of the frontal lobes of the brain. However, online tests for adhd aren't yet widely accepted and haven't yet been demonstrated to improve the accuracy of a person's diagnosis.