ADHD Assessment For Adults - What to Expect
Your primary care physician or a support group for adults with ADHD can recommend a qualified health care professional who performs these assessments. You can also check your health insurance plan's online directory of specialists.
Typically, an assessment takes between one and three hours. It starts with an extensive interview about your work, family and personal life.
What to Expect
If adhd assessment in adults are concerned that you or someone in your family could have ADHD, it is important to first take the first step and visit a doctor. Your GP might inquire about your symptoms and ask about your family history, but they cannot diagnose ADHD. They will refer you to a mental specialist typically a psychologist to evaluate your ADHD.
The initial assessment may take several hours. During the interview the doctor will ask you a series of standard questions regarding your present and past behavior. They will also ask about your relationships as well as any issues that you've experienced in the past. The goal of the interview is to determine if you meet the requirements for ADHD as defined in the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
You will need to demonstrate that your condition is causing significant impairment in two or more aspects of your life. adhd assessment adults could be at home, at work or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include having trouble maintaining a job, incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship or getting into financial trouble due to reckless spending.
Based on the specific situation the doctor could also conduct psychological or neuropsychological tests. These tests don't diagnose ADHD however they can provide valuable information regarding how ADHD impacts your life. These tests can also be used to determine other comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Before or during the assessment your GP will have to perform a physical exam and obtain your medical history. This will allow them to identify any other medical conditions that could be causing symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorders. They will need to know about any prior mental or medical diagnosis, as some can appear similar to ADHD.
During the Evaluation
An ADHD evaluation is a dialogue with a mental health professional and can also include questionnaires for the patient to fill out. It could also include a conversation with family members or close friends. This is a good idea, as the person may not be aware that their symptoms are causing problems for others. It also helps the examiner determine any comorbid mental health issues that need to be addressed with treatment.
Adults may be frightened to be diagnosed with ADHD especially if they are older and have a lot of responsibility. However, being diagnosed as an adult isn't only possible, but it will significantly improve your life quality. A diagnosis can help you understand that hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity are not due to a lack effort or personal shortcomings instead, they are a result of an illness of the brain.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD, you or your child must be exhibiting symptoms in at least two different settings (home school, work,) that causes major impairment. Some of these symptoms should have been present from the beginning of childhood, and cannot be explained by any other disorder.
A physical exam is generally recommended as part of the evaluation, as certain medical ailments (such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders) can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A physical exam can also help the evaluator to rule out these conditions as causes of the symptoms.
The evaluator will review the patient's medical history and mental health symptoms. The evaluator will also discuss the person's personal situation and assess how symptoms affect everyday functioning. It is often helpful for an evaluator if they talk to people who have a familiarity with the patient, such as friends or family members.
The evaluator applies the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition to arrive at diagnosis. They will ask the patient to detail the symptoms they experience and how they affect the individual's performance. They will also look at whether there are any mental health conditions that need to be treated for example, depression or anxiety.
Follow-up
After the ADHD evaluation is complete, a treatment program can be developed. Most often, this will comprise both medication and psychotherapy. It can take time to find the right medication dosage or to see results from therapy. The most important thing you can do is to adhere to the treatment. During one-on-one sessions, it is crucial to be honest and transparent with your psychiatrist. This will help ensure that you receive the best care possible.
Before you meet with your psychiatrist, you will be asked to fill in the pre-screening questionnaires. These can be found on your portal's dashboard and should be completed prior to your appointment. This will cut down on the length of your consultation, and ensure that you can meet your evaluator as fast as possible.
The evaluation will include an examination of the body and review your medical history at the initial in-person appointment. This could include a screening for vision or hearing depending on the patient. This is to rule out medical reasons for the presenting symptoms.
The next major step is an in-depth interview that can last anywhere from one to three hours. This gives the patient to discuss their health issues in detail with the evaluator and explain how they affect their daily activities. The evaluator will ask about various issues, such as relationships, work, school, sleep patterns, and eating habits. The evaluator may also want to talk with others in the patient's life including parents, spouses siblings, teachers, coaches, and daycare providers. This information is not available from self-reporting questionnaires. It helps the evaluator to confirm the presence of ADHD, and determine the severity and extent to which it affects functioning.
The evaluator then performs an examination to examine different areas that are related to the condition, including inattention, restlessness, and impulse control. The evaluator can also inquire about the symptoms in various situations and under different stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different situations.
After the Evaluation
Your specialist will take notes when you describe your symptoms and will be able to answer questions. This part of the evaluation can take up to three hours, and could include multiple appointments or questionnaires. You will be asked to provide certain medical information, such as the family history of health problems and your current medication. This will help the evaluator to determine if you are experiencing symptoms due to something else.
You may be required to complete ADHD rating scales or behavioral questionnaires. The evaluator can also conduct a physical examination and review your medical history. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.
The evaluation will also speak to people who know you well, such as teachers and colleagues. These interviews will help the evaluator understand the way your symptoms affect your work or school. It is essential to be honest and open about your symptoms and how they affect you and others.
Once the evaluator has gathered all the information needed and gathered all the data, they will write the report for you. They will discuss their findings and outline a potential diagnosis. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss ongoing support and treatment with you. If they don't find that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss other problems with psychiatry and suggest ways to assist.
It can be a challenging process to get an ADHD evaluation, especially when you are an adult. It can be especially difficult when you've been denied prior diagnoses because many medical professionals hold preconceived notions regarding what ADHD looks and sounds like.
It is never too late to take an ADHD assessment. A diagnosis can help you seek treatment if you've been struggling for many years. It can also help to strengthen relationships with family members. You can learn more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD on our website and download an informational letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.