ADHD Diagnostic Assessment For Adults
If you suspect that you might have ADHD, ask your primary care provider for an appointment with a health professional who can conduct ADHD assessments. You can also contact your insurance provider or a local support group for recommendations.
Your evaluator will conduct an extensive history of your life and the symptoms you experience. They might utilize one or more scales for assessing behavior which list common ADHD symptoms.
The Evaluation Process
Typically, an evaluation for ADHD involves a series of steps. The examiner will begin by taking an in-depth account of your health, including your birth and development since childhood. The evaluator will also ask questions about your education, work and relationships. You will be asked questions like whether you are often late for appointments or meetings or if you are having trouble keeping track of your bills and schedule and how often you lose your keys or phone, and if your sleeping patterns are normal.
During the interview, the evaluator will use various scales of rating that are standardized to evaluate your behavior versus the behavior of people with ADHD. They aren't considered diagnostic on their own however they are crucial to discovering if you suffer from this disorder. The evaluator will also likely ask you and your significant other to fill out these rating scales.
The test will also include a physical examination. The evaluator might be interested in knowing if you suffer from any medical issues like thyroid problems or seizures that can mimic the symptoms ADHD. This will help the evaluator to rule out any of these conditions.
The evaluator must establish that your symptoms are significant to your life in order to diagnose ADHD. It can be difficult to diagnose, especially if the symptoms are not severe. You might find it difficult to stay organized or meet deadlines at work. However, it's not clear if this is due to ADHD or another condition like depression or an anxiety disorder.
The examiner will use the results of the standardized scales for rating and your interview to determine if you have ADHD. They will also take into consideration any other psychiatric disorders or learning disabilities that you may have, since they may coexist with ADHD.
Do your research prior to booking an appointment to ensure you choose the right specialist. Ask previous clients and patients about the specialist's credentials and academic qualifications. Examine the cost and whether your insurance will cover it.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can make a significant change in how people think about themselves. It can also aid them in understanding the reasons they've struggled so much in their lives, both personally and professionally. If you are frequently losing or forgetting things at work or if your relationships are strained because of your attention and impulse control issues, a diagnosis can be life-changing.
In addition to an in-depth patient interview, doctors employ questionnaires or checklists to ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They also take into consideration your medical and psychiatric history from childhood to the present. Some doctors may request feedback from those who are familiar with you, like your spouse, sibling, parent, teacher, coach, or nanny if you're an adult. This will give you a greater understanding than a questionnaire alone.
It is crucial to be honest in this process. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms must be evident in at least two different areas of one's life: work, school, and social life. Adults need to meet a lower threshold for symptoms than children--5 out of 9 in the last six months--to be eligible for a diagnosis. Your physician will want to know about your childhood experiences, so be ready to share any pertinent details.
After the clinical interview, the evaluator determines if ADHD is the reason for your problems. They will then examine what types of tests might aid in determining or ruling out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
They include cognitive and behavioral tests that measure the way that the brain performs in a variety of situations. Neuropsychological tests, which provide more understanding of weaknesses and strengths are beneficial too.
Ask your primary care physician or therapist that you already see for recommendations if you're not sure who to contact to get an evaluation. You can also search the Internet about health care professionals who specialize in ADHD. Most insurance plans list the specialists in their specialties and many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD have members who can suggest specialists in your area.
Finding the Treatment Plan
Your evaluation may include a detailed interview with the clinician who will ask you questions regarding various areas of your life and your ability to perform tasks. The clinician will likely also require you to complete ADHD symptoms checklists and standard behavior rating scales. Your evaluator may also want to talk to people who spend a lot of time with you. This includes your spouse, coworkers, and family members. The evaluator could also use cognitive tests to determine if you suffer from difficulties with learning or other issues which can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. You may be required to undergo an exam to determine if you have any medical issues such as seizures or thyroid disorders that can mimic the symptoms of ADHD.
Adults can be difficult to diagnose because many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what ADHD looks like. They aren't always willing to assess anyone who doesn't meet these criteria. This makes it difficult to get a proper diagnosis, especially for people of color, LGBT people, or non-native English speakers.
Once she has all the required information the evaluator will issue an assessment. She will most likely base her decision on the extent to which your ADHD symptoms impact your ability to function in your daily life, like having trouble keeping your job or maintaining relationships that are healthy. She'll likely also take a look at your previous experiences and whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
The clinician will most likely prescribe medication to treat your ADHD symptoms if she decides that it is the best course of treatment for you. However, your evaluator may suggest other treatments such as therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies are designed to assist you in improving your life quality and gain control over your symptoms. The therapy component of the treatment can assist you in learning strategies to manage your symptoms, while the cognitive aspect of the treatment is focused on changing the way you think about yourself and the issues you face.
Find a Professional
Adults have a much harder diagnosis of ADHD than children. The DSM-V is useless for adults. Instead the disorder is diagnosed by a psychiatric expert who conducts a thorough assessment and takes a close look at the symptoms.
The evaluator will ask about your history of symptoms, particularly in childhood, and how they've affected you over the years. private adhd assessment for adults may also interview relatives and friends of yours. This isn't a way to criticize or verify your answers; it's simply to gain information. Your evaluator may also require you to fill in an standardized set of behavioral ratings. These are commonly used in ADHD evaluations and the examiner will use them to help fill in the gaps he or she can't find in the one-on-one interview.
You may have to undergo additional tests, such as cognitive tests, to rule out any conditions that cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These could include thyroid disorders, anxiety and depression and seizures. In addition, you might be offered urine or blood tests to determine if you have nutritional deficiencies.
You might also be asked to disclose any medication you are taking or have recently taken. During the interview the evaluator will decide whether or not your symptoms meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis according to the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines.
Once you have been diagnosed, you are able to receive the assistance you need to overcome the effects of your disorder on relationships, work, your home life, and your well-being. In addition you can take steps to minimize the effects of your ADHD on your family and friends.
It's essential to discuss your situation with friends and colleagues, so they are aware of the challenges you face and can offer support in the event of need. Additionally, it's an ideal idea to locate an ADHD coach to assist you in staying on track with your goals and manage your symptoms.