What to Expect From an Adult ADHD Assessment
Many people who exhibit symptoms of ADHD get diagnosed in childhood however it is possible to be undiagnosed as an adult. A thorough evaluation by a health care professional or mental health professional is essential.
The evaluator may interview the person, as with other people who are familiar with them, use ratings scales, and review school records. The psychiatric profession often employs questions specifically designed to reveal ADHD symptoms for adults.
Signs and symptoms
It's not unusual to find ADHD symptoms to manifest in adulthood. Intellectual disability or autism are developmental disorders that usually manifest in childhood. ADHD symptoms, however, typically occur in late adolescence or early adulthood, when the responsibilities and obligations grow.
When ADHD symptoms are severe, it can have a major impact on the daily activities of a person. They might have difficulties working or at school and may struggle to form and maintain relationships. Anyone who is experiencing these issues should consider consulting a physician to determine whether they suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will obtain a complete medical history and do an examination of your body. The doctor may also ask you to complete an ADHD rating scale and answer questions about the symptoms that have affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your use of drugs or alcohol, and about any medical conditions that may be similar to ADHD (such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder).
There are many different rating scales available to assist you in determining the signs of adult ADHD. Some, such as the Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Screening Questionnaire, are free online. Certain, such as the 40-item Adult ADHD Scale is only obtained from healthcare experts. They must interpret and score it.
The DSM-5 specifies that for a diagnosis of ADHD, a person must have "symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that are persistent and impair functioning in multiple settings. "3 The patient must have these symptoms for at least six months in order to be diagnosed with the condition.
People who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Untreated and undiagnosed disorders can create a lot of stress for an individual, and interfere with the ability to manage ADHD symptoms. They can also have a negative effect on self-esteem as they receive a constant message that they should be able to perform better than they do. This could be a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to a chronic cycle of frustration and stress.
Diagnosis
The person being evaluated will be asked to complete one or more standardized behavior rating scales. These questionnaires are founded on research that compares behaviors of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not. These can help the professional determine if symptoms are present and how they are. It is important to be honest when completing these questionnaires. In some cases, the professional will ask the person's spouse or significant other to fill out these scales, too. This isn't meant to check their answers, but rather to get a better understanding of how the individual's ADHD issues affect their relationship.
The professional will also take an extensive history, which includes a description of symptoms as they have manifested throughout adulthood. In addition, the person evaluating will be looking to determine whether they had similar issues as a child, and, if yes what the treatment was at the time.
Some evaluators may ask for medical tests in order to exclude other conditions that can sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders. They may also ask to speak to family members and colleagues for information about the person's performance at home and at work.
During the interview the assessor will discuss the severity of the symptoms and their impact on relationships, job performance, school or social life. The evaluator will then determine whether the symptoms of ADHD are mild or moderate. Mild indicates that the symptoms meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, but don't hinder the normal functioning of a person. Moderate means that the symptoms are an issue in daily life and severe means that the symptoms cause significant disruptions.
In some cases the evaluator may recommend that the person participate in psychotherapy (the technical name for mental health therapy) or make changes to their routines or surroundings to accommodate ADHD-related difficulties. Many health insurance plans will assist you in finding an accredited health care provider. assessing adhd in adults will usually be willing to provide information regarding their experience and training in treating adults with ADHD. However should they be reluctant to divulge such information, it is worth considering finding another professional.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD are able to receive a broad variety of treatment options. There are a variety of treatments for people who suffer from ADHD. The right treatment plan will help an adult with ADHD live a more enjoyable and more productive life.
Diagnosing ADHD in an adult is more challenging than diagnosing it in the child. The DSM-V is designed for children. Many experts agree that a thorough clinical interview with a person who has expertise in diagnosing ADHD in adult patients will give a reliable diagnosis. The professional will ask you about your symptoms over the past six months and how they've affected your work and personal life. She might also ask about your child's symptoms, and whether any members of your family suffer from ADHD.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used by some experts to help those suffering from ADHD learn how to manage their problems, improve their relationships and better understand their ADHD. They might also recommend counseling for your family or marriage to assist your loved ones to understand your challenges and learn how to better help you. Many people who suffer from ADHD also have anxiety or depression. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as chronic pain or eating disorders, like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).
If your symptoms are mild you may not need medication. For mild symptoms, medication may help reduce symptoms so that you can focus at work or social interactions. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor might prescribe a higher dose of medication or suggest a combination of medications.
Your doctor may request to see your school report cards and speak to your parents in order to determine if you suffer from ADHD. They will look for any signs that could indicate ADHD or other issues, such as poor academic performance or behavior problems. They might also ask you if there have been any problems in your work or with your partner.
Researchers may use a variety of tests to assess your ability to control impulses and attention. Certain tests are computer-based, and they compare your results with the results of other people who do not have ADHD. Some tests, like the Test of Variable Attention Test (TOVA) will test your ability to complete tasks without distraction.
Support
There are many supports available in the event that you suffer from ADHD. Some are completely free, while others are provided by professional services. Online resources are also available. These tools can help you know your symptoms as well as treatment options and how to support someone with ADHD.
CHADD is the largest national support group for people with ADHD. Its website includes a list of local affiliate groups. It also includes educational materials as well as a list of professionals who provide coaching, assessment and therapy. The site includes a search function that allows you to search by region or state to locate a service close to you.
Another option is to seek out a neurodiversity-affirming therapist. Numerous directories on the internet provide therapists who specialize in ADHD. These therapists will teach you how to apply behavioral strategies to manage ADHD symptoms. They can also offer insight and empathy.
Certain support groups meet regularly to share personal stories and give each other encouragement. They can also provide information, guest speakers and coping skills training. Many groups are run by mental health professionals, however others are led by peers. You can search for a local group on CHADD or contact an expert in mental health who is specialized in ADHD.
The evaluation will take into account a variety of factors, such as the person's mood and medical background. The evaluator will also look at whether the patient has other medical illnesses that may cause symptoms that look like ADHD like depression, anxiety or physical illness. The evaluator could also want to see report cards from childhood and to talk to family members.
If you're considering the possibility of an ADHD evaluation, it is important to be as honest as possible with your mental health provider. They must be aware of the various symptoms you are experiencing in order to assess you in a precise manner. If you're not willing to disclose all your symptoms, you may feel that the assessment is less thorough and frustrating. The examiner is likely to conduct neuropsychological testing or performance-based tests. These tests are designed to gather data on executive functioning deficiencies. They can be used in conjunction with a psychotherapy interview in order to provide evaluators with confidence in their assessments.