How to Get the Best ADHD Assessment for Adults
A professional ADHD assessment is the best way to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Self-assessment is helpful, but it is not a substitute for a consultation with a specialist.
A proper ADHD assessment should check for other mental health issues that could be present in conjunction with or mimic symptoms of ADHD and should take into account whether your symptoms started before age 12. Additional psychological or neuropsychological tests might be required.
Self-Assessment Tool
A self-assessment tool is a questionnaire that focuses on specific symptoms or traits. These tools are often used in clinical studies, research studies, and by health websites to help patients screen for ADHD. Certain self-assessments are brief and provide thoughtful results at the end of the test. Others are more extensive and require participation from other significant people in a person's life. These tools can help determine whether or not a person may want to consider getting an assessment for ADHD.
There are visit link and screening questionnaires, but most of them aren't scientifically validated or standardized. It is not recommended to use these assessments without consulting medical professionals, since they could lead to inaccurate diagnoses. It could also result in unnecessary referrals for ADHD tests for those who are unlikely sufferers. This can waste healthcare resources, cause distress for the person being referred and result in long wait for an in-depth examination.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD created a short survey called the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale Screener. The ASRS is a 6-item questionnaire that focuses on the experiences of adults with the most common symptoms of ADHD. This screener is useful for the determination of whether an individual requires an additional clinical examination.
Other more comprehensive self-assessments include the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire and the CBCL-AP. Both scales have been proven to have high diagnostic accuracy and moderate specificity and sensitivity. However it is crucial to keep in mind that these tests can't replace the need for a thorough clinical examination by a certified psychologist or psychiatrist.
Women's ADHD symptoms are different from those of men and that's why some self-assessments are tailored to women-specific issues. These tools for women can assist people decide if they would like to seek an expert ADHD diagnosis.
Diagnosis
In many cases, the first step in getting diagnosed is to talk with an primary care physician who might refer the patient to a psychiatrist or neurologists who specialize in ADHD. Typically, a specialist will have to interview the patient to determine how his or her symptoms interfere with everyday functioning. The doctor may ask the patient to complete the symptom checklist or rating scale, and will likely go over the medical and psychiatric histories from childhood to the present. The doctor may also inquire whether other disorders that mimic ADHD could be contributing to the patient's symptoms. This could include anxiety and depression.
When conducting an assessment of adults, it is more important to consider the extent of functional impairment rather than focusing on symptom count or the severity. People suffering from ADHD struggle to meet expectations at school, work, and in relationships. It's recommended to communicate the facts with people who supervise you at work, your teachers at school and family members to ensure they can get a complete picture of your daily difficulties. It can be difficult for patients to talk about these concerns. However, it is crucial to share the information to get the help they need.
Typically, the psychiatrist or neurologist who specializes in ADHD will start by interviewing the patient and will likely utilize a checklist of symptoms from the DSM-5 which is designed for diagnosing children. The clinician will ask about the patient's emotional, psychiatric and social history, as well how ADHD symptoms impact daily functioning. A lot of doctors will also inquire about the patient's partner or close family members about their observations and if they notice any signs of ADHD. These personal observations can reveal information that is not gleaned from surveys or ratings.
A psychologist who is trained in cognitive behavioral treatment can diagnose ADHD in certain instances. However psychologists do not have the authority to prescribe medication, which is usually provided by a psychiatrist or neurologists. A therapist specially trained in treating ADHD can teach the patient techniques that can help manage symptoms, for example, time and money management and methods for organizing. These therapies are offered in person and through remote mental services like Frida.
Treatment
A thorough assessment for ADHD for adults should comprise a diagnostic interview and information from outside sources, like the person's spouse or a close family member. The doctor might ask the patient to complete one or more standardized ADHD rating scales. These tests are based on research and can examine the behavior of people who suffer from ADHD to the behavior of those who do not have it, and aid in determining if there is an issue. Depending on the circumstances, some clinical psychologists may also administer cognitive tests to help diagnose ADHD or other problems such as a learning disability or anxiety disorder.
The clinician will also evaluate the extent to which the symptoms affect the patient's everyday functioning at school, work or in relationships. For example, the patient might have trouble keeping the track of appointments and bills or arranging their belongings and thoughts. Additionally many adults suffer from low self-esteem and resentment toward persistent patterns of academic failure or job loss, as well as relationship conflict. A mental health professional may suggest individual therapy or a program to help the patient to manage and cope with their ADHD symptoms.
If the clinician suspects that a medical problem like seizures or thyroid issues is contributing to ADHD symptoms, he'll conduct a physical exam. The doctor will inquire about previous health issues and if the patient has been injured or suffered an accident. A thorough history will aid the physician in determining if the person has been diagnosed in the past of ADHD or any other psychiatric or neurological problems such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Many adults have weak or blurry memories of their childhood, and may forget that they were diagnosed with ADHD as children. In order to obtain a more accurate picture, the therapist will interview someone who is important in the life of the patient, such as their spouse or a family member or even their employer. This is a good method of gaining an objective perspective of the individual and to avoid bias.
A complete ADHD assessment should include a psychological or neuropsychological assessment. These tests measure the person's working memory, intelligence and other cognitive capabilities. The psychologist will utilize the results of these tests to determine if ADHD is causing the person's difficulty learning working, coping or even being able to cope.
Support
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD struggle to be productive at work or school. They may have difficulty keeping track of their daily activities, organizing their belongings, and remembering important information. They might also have issues in their relationships or have difficulty to keep appointments and make them.
The first step to receive a diagnosis of ADHD is talking to the primary care physician. He or she can provide recommendations for referrals or refer an expert in mental health for an evaluation. Certain psychiatrists as well as graduate programs in psychology, and private therapy professionals are trained in the psychological evaluation of ADHD.
During the assessment the mental health professional will utilize standard ratings scales for ADHD symptoms in order to determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria for the condition. A variety of different ratings scales are available, including the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scales and the Conners' Classroom Assessment of Attention and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report (CAARS). In addition to these ratings scales, mental health professionals typically utilize cognitive tests to evaluate the working memory of an adult, executive functioning abilities and spatial and visual abilities.
If the mental health professional determines that the patient has ADHD, he or she will discuss treatment options with the patient. There are many strategies to manage ADHD symptoms, such as therapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. Many adults suffering from ADHD have reported improved performance with the help of psychostimulants, stimulant medicines that improve focus and alertness. Some adults may also benefit from nonstimulant medication to help reduce depression or anxiety as well as therapy that includes mindfulness techniques and coaching.
It can be a stressful and upsetting experience to receive the diagnosis of ADHD. However, with the right support and guidance, people with ADHD can manage their symptoms, and lead fulfilling lives. It's essential to be open with your doctor and to not hide anything out of fear or shame. It's also helpful to tell co-workers, supervisors and teachers that you have ADHD. If they know about your challenges, they might be more understanding and offer accommodations like additional time for homework.