ADHD Assessment For Adults - What to Expect
Your primary care physician or support group for adults with ADHD can recommend a qualified health care professional who performs these assessments. You can also use the online directory of your health insurance plan to find specialists.
A typical assessment takes between one and three hours. The process begins with a thorough discussion about your work, family, and life history.
What to Expect
It is crucial to visit an expert if you suspect you or someone in your family has ADHD. Your GP can talk with you about your symptoms, inquire about your family history and inquire about any other comorbidities that you might be suffering from, however they aren't able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They will refer you to a mental specialist typically a psychologist to assess your ADHD.
The initial assessment is the longest and most complicated part of the process and can sometimes take several hours. During the interview the doctor will ask you a series of specific questions about your behavior in the present and in the past. They will also inquire about your relationships as well as any issues that you've experienced in the past. The purpose of the interview is to determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD as defined by the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, you will have be able to prove that your symptoms cause impairment in at minimum two settings in your daily life. This could be at work, at home or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include difficulty finding a job, unable to maintain a healthy relationship or getting into financial trouble due to impulsive spending.
Based on your specific situation, your physician will also likely carry out some psychological or neuropsychological testing. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however they can provide valuable information about how ADHD affects your daily life. These tests can also be used to determine other comorbidities like anxiety and depression.
Before or during the assessment, your GP will need to perform a physical exam and take a medical history. This will help them rule out other medical conditions that may be causing symptoms, like thyroid or seizure disorders. They will also need be aware of any prior diagnosis of psychiatric or medical illness you've had since some of them may look a lot like ADHD and may have been incorrectly diagnosed.
During the Evaluation
An ADHD evaluation is a conversation with an expert in mental health and can also include questionnaires for the patient to fill out. It could also include an interview with an important family member or other. This can be useful in that the person might not be aware that their issues cause problems for others. adhd adults assessment can also be used to determine any co-occurring mental health issues that require treatment.
Adults may be frightened to be diagnosed with ADHD especially if they are older and have a lot of responsibility. A diagnosis can improve your life greatly. A diagnosis can help you understand that the lack of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are not due to a individual flaw or a result of lack of effort, and there is an underlying neurological issue that causes them.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD, you or your child should have symptomatic behavior in at least two different settings (home, school, work) that cause significant impairment. Some of these symptoms should have been present since childhood, and cannot be explained by any other disorder.
A physical exam is generally recommended as a part of the evaluation process, as some medical ailments (such as seizure disorders and thyroid issues) can trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD. A physical exam is also a way for the evaluator to rule out these conditions as the cause of the symptoms.
The evaluator will examine the patient's medical history and psychiatric symptoms. The evaluator will also talk about a person's life situation, and determine how symptoms affect the daily activities of the patient. It is often beneficial for an evaluator when they speak to people who know the patient, such as family members or colleagues.
The evaluator uses the criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition to arrive at an assessment. They will ask the person to explain their symptoms in detail, and also how they impact their ability to function. They will also look at whether there are any mental health conditions that require treatment for example, anxiety or depression.
During the Follow-Up
After the ADHD evaluation is completed, a treatment program can be designed. Most often, this will comprise both medication and psychotherapy. It is important to remember that it may take a while to find the correct dosage of medication and to see the results of therapy. The most important thing you can do is stick with the treatment. It is important to be open and honest with your psychiatrist during the one-on-one sessions. This will ensure that you receive the best possible care.
You will be asked to fill in a series pre-screening questions before meeting with the psychiatrist. These are available on your portal's dashboard and must be completed in advance of your appointment. This will allow you to cut down on the time required for your appointment and ensure that your evaluator can meet with you as soon as possible.
The evaluator will conduct an examination of the body and examine your medical history during the first in-person session. Based on the individual, this may also involve an eye and hearing screening. This is done to determine if there is a medical cause of the symptoms.
The next step is a detailed interview that could last anywhere between one and three hours. The patient can discuss their symptoms with the evaluator in depth and describe how these symptoms impact their daily functioning. The evaluator will ask about a wide variety of topics, including relationships with school, work sleep patterns, eating habits. The evaluator might also want to interview people who are close to the patient, for example their parents, spouses, siblings teachers, coaches, or daycare providers. This information is not available from self-reporting questionnaires. It can help the evaluator determine the presence of ADHD, and determine the degree of the impairment it causes to functioning.
The evaluator then conducts an examination that examines a variety of areas related to the disorder, such as inattention, restlessness, and impulse control. The examiner may also inquire about the symptoms in various situations and under various stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different circumstances.
After the Evaluation
Your specialist will take notes as you describe your symptoms and will be able to answer questions. This part of the evaluation usually lasts between one to three hours and could involve multiple visits or questionnaires. You will be asked for some medical information including your family history of health problems and your current medications. This will help the evaluator to determine if you are suffering from symptoms related to something else.
You may be required to complete ADHD rating scales or behavioral questionnaires. The evaluator may also perform physical examinations and review your medical history. It is important to rule out other medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems, that can mimic the symptoms of ADHD.
The evaluator will also talk to people who know you well, such as teachers and coworkers. These interviews will help the evaluator to better understand how your symptoms impact you at work or school. It is important to be honest about your symptoms and how they impact your family and friends.
The evaluator will then write a a detailed report for you. They will present their findings and a possible diagnosis. If they conclude that you have ADHD they will discuss ongoing support and treatment with you. If they do not find that you suffer from ADHD they will talk to your about any other psychiatric issues and suggest ways to assist.
The process of obtaining an ADHD evaluation can be challenging and a bit scary, especially when you're an adult. It can be particularly difficult if you've been denied an earlier diagnosis due to the fact that doctors have preconceived notions regarding what ADHD looks and sounds like.
It's not too late to take an ADHD assessment. If you've been struggling for a long time an assessment can provide you the confidence and knowledge you need to seek treatment. It can also help you build stronger relationships with loved ones. You can find out more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD on our website. You can also download an informational letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.