ADHD Assessment For Adults - What to Expect
You can get a referral from your primary care doctor or a support group of adults with ADHD to an experienced health professional who is qualified to perform these evaluations. You can also check your health insurance plan's online directory of specialists.
A typical assessment lasts between one and three hours. The process begins with a thorough discussion about your work, family, and personal life.
What to Expect
It is important to see a doctor if you suspect you or someone else in your family has ADHD. Your GP can talk to you about your symptoms, inquire about your family history, and inquire about any other comorbid conditions that you might be suffering from, however they are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves. Instead, they'll need to refer you to a mental health professional typically a psychologist for an ADHD evaluation.
The initial assessment is the longest and most complicated portion of the process and can last for several hours. During this interview the doctor will ask you a series specific questions about your behavior in the present and in the past. They will also inquire about your relationships as well as any issues you've had in the past. The interview will determine if you are in compliance with the ADHD criteria as defined in the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association.
You'll need to prove that your conditions are 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 being unable to keep an occupation or maintaining a healthy relationship, or getting into financial difficulties due to impulsive purchases.
Based on your specific situation, your doctor will also likely carry out certain neuropsychological or psychological tests. These tests don't diagnose ADHD, but they will provide valuable information on the ways that your ADHD affects you. These tests can also be used to identify other conditions that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression.
Your GP will conduct a physical examination and collect your medical history prior to or during the exam. This will enable them to determine if there are any other medical problems that could be responsible for your symptoms, such as thyroid or seizure disorders. They'll need to be aware about any prior mental or medical diagnoses, as some can appear similar to ADHD.
During the Evaluation
An ADHD evaluation is a conversation with an expert in mental health, and can include questionnaires that the patient has to complete. It may also involve an interview with the family member or significant other. This can be helpful, since the person might not realize how often their ailments cause issues for others. It can also be used to detect 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 lots of obligations. However, being diagnosed as an adult is not only possible, but it can significantly improve your quality of life. A diagnosis can help you understand that the inattention or hyperactivity are not due to a personal failing or due to inefficiency, but there's a neurological condition causing them.
Your child or you will have to exhibit symptoms in at least two environments (home school, at home, and at work) that result in major impairment. These symptoms must have been present since the early years of childhood and cannot be explained by other disorder.
A physical exam is generally recommended as part of the evaluation, as certain medical illnesses (such as seizure disorders and thyroid issues) can trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD. A physical exam can also help the examiner to rule out these conditions as a cause of the symptoms.
The evaluator will go over the patient's medical and mental history as well as the symptoms they're experiencing. The evaluator also will discuss the patient's lifestyle, and determine the extent to which symptoms impact the daily activities of the patient. It's usually helpful for the evaluator to talk to people who are familiar with the patient like family members or colleagues.
The evaluator will use the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition, to make a diagnose. They will ask them to detail the symptoms they experience and how they affect the person's ability to function. They will also look into whether there are any comorbid mental health issues that require treatment, such as anxiety or depression.
Follow-up
After an ADHD evaluation has been conducted, a treatment plan can be developed. This will often include medication and psychotherapy. It is important to remember that it may take time to get on the right dosage of medication and also to see results of therapy. Thus the most important thing to do during treatment is to stick with it! adhd assessment adults is important to be open and honest with your psychiatrist during one-on-one sessions. This will ensure that you receive the best possible treatment.
You will be asked to fill in an array of pre-screening questions prior to meeting with a psychiatrist. You can find these on your portal's dashboard. Please complete them prior to your appointment. This will reduce the time required for your appointment and to ensure that your evaluator will be able to meet with you as quickly as possible.
The examiner will conduct an examination of your body and review your medical history at the initial session in person. This could include a vision or hearing screening depending on the patient. This is to rule out any medical reasons for the present symptoms.
The next important step is an in-depth interview which can take anywhere from one to three hours. The patient can discuss their symptoms with the evaluator, in depth and describe how these symptoms impact their daily functioning. The evaluator could inquire about a range of questions including relationships, work and school, sleep patterns and eating habits. The evaluator could also decide to speak with others in the patient's life such as spouses, parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, and daycare providers. This provides information that cannot be gathered through self-report surveys and allows the evaluator confirm the presence of ADHD symptoms, as well as determine the severity and extent of their impact on function.
The evaluator then performs an examination to examine various areas related to the condition, like inattention, restlessness and impulse control. The evaluator may also ask about the symptoms in different situations and under different stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different circumstances.
After the Evaluation
When you answer the questions and describe your symptoms, the specialist will note down your answers. The evaluation typically takes between one to three hours, and may require multiple appointments or questionnaires. You will be asked certain medical details, including family history of health issues and current medications. This will enable the evaluator to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms due to something else.
You might have to fill out ADHD rating scales or behavioral questionnaires. The evaluator will also review your medical history and do an examination. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorder.
The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with you, such as teachers and coworkers. These interviews will assist the evaluator in understanding how your symptoms impact your school or work. It is crucial to be honest and open about your symptoms and how they affect you and other people.
The evaluator will then prepare a detailed report for you. They will present their findings and suggest a possible diagnosis. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss ongoing treatment and support with you. If they don't discover that you suffer from ADHD they will speak to you about any other mental health issues and recommend ways to help.
The process of getting an ADHD evaluation can be difficult and frightening, particularly as an adult. It can be especially difficult if you've been denied prior diagnoses because many medical professionals hold preconceived notions regarding what ADHD looks and sounds like.
But, it's never too late to get an ADHD assessment. If you have been struggling for a long time an assessment can provide you the knowledge and confidence you need to seek treatment. It can also help to strengthen relationships with your family members. You can learn more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD on our website and download an informational letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.