ADHD Assessment For Adults - What to Expect
You can receive an appointment from your primary physician or an adult support group with ADHD to a health care professional that is qualified to perform these evaluations. You can also search the directory online of your health insurance plan to find specialists.
A typical assessment takes about one to three hours. The test begins with a thorough interview about your family history, work and your personal life.
What to Expect
If you think you or someone in your family could be suffering from ADHD, it is important to first take the first step and see an expert. Your GP can talk with you about your symptoms, inquire about your family history, and inquire about any other conditions that you may have but they aren't able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They will refer you to a mental specialist, usually a psychologist, to evaluate your ADHD.
The initial assessment can take several hours. During the interview, you'll be asked a series of questions regarding your past and current behaviour. They will also ask about your relationships and any issues you have experienced in the past. The goal of the interview is to determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD as defined in the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
You'll need to show that your condition is creating significant impairment in two or more areas of your life. This could be at the workplace, at home or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include difficulty finding a job, incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship or getting into financial difficulties due to reckless spending.
Based on your specific situation, your doctor will also likely carry out certain neuropsychological or psychological tests. These tests aren't able to diagnose ADHD, but they will provide important information about the ways that your ADHD affects you. They can also help rule out the presence of any other comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
Prior to or during the examination your doctor will need to conduct a physical examination and obtain your medical history. This will help them rule out any other medical conditions that could be the cause of your symptoms, for example, thyroid or seizure disorders. They will also need to 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 could be wrongly diagnosed.
During the Evaluation
An interview with a mental healthcare professional may include questionnaires that the patient has to complete. It could also include an interview with family members or close friends. This can be beneficial, because the person may not realize how often their symptoms cause problems for others. It can also be used to determine any co-occurring mental health conditions which need to receive treatment.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a bit daunting for adults, particularly those who are older and have many things to do. A diagnosis can improve your life dramatically. A diagnosis will help you understand that hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are not caused by a lack of effort or personal failing instead, they are a result of a neurological disorder.
Your child or you will need to exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at minimum two environments (home school, home, and work) that cause significant impairment. These symptoms must have been present in early childhood and cannot be explained by any other disorder.
As part of the process of evaluation, a physical exam is usually recommended. Some medical conditions (such seizure disorders and thyroid problems) disorders) can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. The physical exam allows the examiner to rule out other conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
The evaluator will look over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, as well as the symptoms they're experiencing. The evaluator will also talk about the patient's lifestyle, and determine the extent to which symptoms impact everyday functioning. It's often helpful for the evaluator to speak to people who know the patient well like relatives or coworkers.
The evaluator applies the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition to arrive at a diagnose. They will ask them to explain in detail the symptoms they experience and how they interfere with the individual's performance. They will also look at whether there any mental health issues that require treatment for example, anxiety or depression.
Follow-up
After an ADHD evaluation has been conducted the treatment plan will be created. This will often include medication and psychotherapy. It may take a while to determine the correct medication dosage or to see results from therapy. Thus the most important thing you can do is to stay with it! It is important to be honest and open with your psychiatrist during one-on-one sessions. This will help ensure that you receive the best care that you can get.
You will be asked to fill in a series pre-screening questions before meeting with a psychiatrist. They are available on your portal dashboard. Please fill speaking of out prior to your appointment. This will reduce the time of your consultation, and ensure that you can meet with your evaluator as quickly as possible.
In the initial session in person the evaluator will review your medical history and conduct an examination. This could include vision or hearing screening, depending on the patient. This is to rule out any medical causes for the presenting symptoms.
The next step is a detailed interview that can last 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 functioning. The evaluator will ask about a wide variety of issues, such as relationships, school, work, sleep patterns, and eating habits. The evaluator could also choose to speak with people who are close to the patient, such as their parents, spouses, siblings, teachers, coaches and daycare providers. This information is not accessible from self-reporting questionnaires. It assists the evaluator determine the presence of ADHD and determine the extent and severity of the impairment it causes to functioning.
The evaluator then conducts an examination that will look at several areas related to the disorder, including inattention, restlessness, as well as impulse control. The evaluator can also inquire about the symptoms in various situations and under various stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different circumstances.
After the Evaluation
When you answer the questions and explain your symptoms, the specialist will take notes. This part of the evaluation usually lasts between one to three hours, and could involve multiple visits or questionnaires. You may be asked to provide certain medical information, such as your family history of health problems and the current medications you are taking. This will allow the evaluator to determine if your symptoms may be caused by something else.
You may be required to fill out ADHD ratings scales or behavioral questions. The evaluator will also go over your medical history and do a physical exam. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems that may cause symptoms of ADHD.
The evaluator might also talk to people who know you, such as teachers and colleagues. These interviews will enable the evaluator better understanding of how your symptoms impact your school or work. It is crucial to be open and honest about your symptoms and how they impact you and other people.
Once the evaluator has gathered all this information and gathered all the data, they will write a report for you. They will outline the findings and provide a possible diagnosis. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will talk to you about ongoing treatment and support. If they do not find that you have ADHD they will discuss with you about any other psychiatric issues and suggest ways to help.
It can be a challenging process to get an ADHD assessment, particularly if you are an adult. It can be especially difficult when you've been denied an earlier diagnosis due to the fact that many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears and sounds like.
It's never too late to take an ADHD assessment. If you have been struggling for a long time the diagnosis could give you the information and confidence you need to seek treatment. It can also help strengthen relationships with family members. On our website, you can find out more about the symptoms and signs that are associated with ADHD. You can also download a letter of support from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.