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 tests. You can also search your health insurance plan's online directory of specialists.
A typical assessment takes between one and three hours. It starts with a thorough interview about your family, work and personal history.
What to Expect
It is essential to consult a doctor if you suspect you or someone else in your family has ADHD. Your GP will talk to you about your symptoms, ask about your family history and inquire about any other conditions that you may have but they are not allowed to diagnose ADHD themselves. They will refer you to a mental specialist, usually a psychologist, to evaluate your ADHD.
The initial assessment is the longest and most complex phase of the procedure and can last for several hours. In this assessment, the clinician will ask you a series specific questions about your behavior in the present and in the past. The clinician will also ask you about your current and past relationships. The goal of the interview is to determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD according to the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
You'll need to prove that your condition is causing significant impairment in two or more aspects of your life. This could be at your home, at work, or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include having trouble maintaining a job, unable to maintain a healthy relationship or getting into financial difficulties due to reckless spending.
Based on your specific situation, the clinician may also conduct some psychological or neuropsychological testing. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however, they do provide valuable information on the ways in which your ADHD affects you. These tests can also be used to rule out other conditions that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety.
Before or during the assessment your doctor will need to conduct a physical exam and take a medical history. This will allow them to rule out any other medical problems that could be responsible for your symptoms, for example, seizures or thyroid disorders. They'll need to be aware about any prior mental or medical diagnosis that may look like ADHD.
During the Evaluation
An interview with a mental healthcare professional may include questionnaires that the patient has to fill in. It may also involve an interview with a family member or significant other. This can be useful because the person may not realize that their symptoms are causing problems for others. It can also be used to identify any co-occurring mental health conditions which need to receive treatment.
Adults can find it intimidating to be diagnosed with ADHD particularly if they are older and have a lot of responsibility. A diagnosis can change your life greatly. A diagnosis can help you realize that hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity aren't due to a lack of effort or personal shortcomings or a neurological disorder.
You or your child will have to exhibit symptoms in at least two different environments (home, school, and work) that cause major impairment. These symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood and cannot be explained by other disorder.
As part of the evaluation process, a physical exam is usually recommended. adhd assessment for adults (such thyroid problems and seizure disorders) may cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The physical exam allows the evaluator rule out other causes for the symptoms.
The evaluator will go over the patient's medical and mental history as well as the symptoms they're experiencing. They will also review the patient's current circumstances and evaluate the impact of the symptoms on their daily activities. It's often helpful for the evaluator talk to those who know the patient well such as relatives or coworkers.
The evaluator will use the criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition, to make an assessment. They will ask them to describe in detail the symptoms they experience and how they interfere with the person's ability to function. They will also consider whether there are any mental health conditions that require treatment like depression or anxiety.
Follow-up
After the ADHD evaluation is complete the treatment plan can be developed. Often, this will include both psychotherapy and medication. It can take time to find the right dosage of medication or to see the results of therapy. The most important thing you can do is to keep on the course of treatment. It is important to be open and honest with your psychiatrist during the one-on-one sessions. This will ensure that you get the best possible treatment.
You will be asked to fill in the pre-screening questionnaire prior to meeting with the psychiatrist. You can find these on your portal's dashboard. Please fill them out before your appointment. This will allow you to cut down on the time needed for your consultation and make sure that your evaluator is able to meet with you as soon as possible.
In the initial in-person consultation the evaluator will go over your medical history and perform an examination. This could include vision or hearing screening depending on the patient. This is done to rule out medical reasons for the presenting symptoms.
The next step is a detailed interview that could last anywhere from one to three hour. This gives the patient to discuss their issues in detail with the evaluator, and describe how they impact their daily activities. The evaluator will ask about various issues, such as relationships with school, work sleep patterns, eating habits. The evaluator could also choose to interview those who are close to the patient, like their spouses, parents, siblings, teachers, coaches and daycare providers. This information is not available from self-reporting questionnaires. It assists the evaluator confirm the presence of ADHD and determine the degree to which it affects functioning.
The evaluator performs an examination to look at various areas related to the condition, such as inattention, restlessness and impulse control. The evaluator will also ask questions about how symptoms present in different settings and under various stressors since ADHD can appear differently in different circumstances.
After the Evaluation
When you answer questions and explain your symptoms, the doctor will make notes. This portion of the exam typically takes between one to three hours and may involve multiple meetings or questionnaires. You will be asked some medical information including your family history of health problems and current medications. This will allow the examiner to determine if you are suffering from symptoms related to something else.
You might be asked to fill in ADHD ratings scales or behavioral questionnaires. The evaluator may also review your medical history and do physical examination. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions, such as seizures or thyroid issues which may mimic the symptoms of ADHD.
The evaluator might also talk to people who know you, such as teachers and coworkers. These interviews will enable the evaluator to better understand the impact of your symptoms on your school or work. It is important to be honest and open about your symptoms, and how they impact you and others.
The evaluator will then prepare an elaborate report for you to read. They will outline their findings and a possible diagnosis. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss ongoing treatment and support with you. If they don't discover that you are suffering from ADHD, they will talk to your about other psychiatric problems and suggest ways to help.
It can be a daunting procedure to undergo an ADHD assessment, particularly when you are an adult. It can be particularly difficult if you've been denied prior diagnoses because many medical professionals hold preconceived assumptions about what ADHD looks and sounds like.
However, it is never too late to seek an ADHD assessment. A diagnosis can help you seek treatment if you've been struggling for an extended period of time. It can also help strengthen relationships with family members. On our website you can find more about the symptoms and signs associated with ADHD. You can also download an acknowledgement letter from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.