ADHD Adult Test - Important Steps in Diagnosing Adult ADHD
In an ADHD screening the doctor will ask you about your family and personal history, environment, work and school performance. They will also request your medical history as well as conduct an examination for physical health.
A complete ADHD assessment will include questions about your childhood as well as an examination of any drug or alcohol consumption. Your clinician will ask you about any comorbid conditions which could mimic the symptoms that are associated with ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
It is important for an adult who suspects they may be suffering from ADHD to talk to their primary doctor. They can help you know what ADHD is and refer you to mental health services should you require it. You can also find a local ADHD-specialist counselor.
To diagnose ADHD, a healthcare professional will use an assessment tool. This typically includes a thorough interview and a series questions about symptoms. The evaluator should be aware of your past and if there were any significant events during your childhood that might have contributed to your behavior and symptoms. The evaluator will ask you if you experienced trauma or an illness in your early childhood.
The evaluator determines the severity of your symptoms. This will be determined by the extent to which your impairments interfere with your daily functioning. This would be the case if, for example, you had significant difficulties maintaining your job or getting along well with family members. additional hints is an essential aspect of the diagnostic process as it will ensure that your ADHD symptoms aren't than a mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to conducting a thorough clinical interview, the examiner may also administer standardized behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists. These tools can help to identify if you have six or more established ADHD symptoms in one of the two main categories -- inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The evaluator will also conduct psychological, neuropsychological or learning disabilities testing should it be required. These tests may reveal the existence of working memory deficiencies as well as executive functions capabilities spatial and visual skills and other aspects.
It is possible to be diagnosed with moderate, mild or severe ADHD symptoms based on your interview and symptom evaluation. These levels are determined by the way ADHD symptoms affect you. For instance mild ADHD symptoms will have a small impact on your work and social interactions. Moderate ADHD symptoms will have a greater impact on your daily life, and severe ADHD symptoms can impact every aspect of your life.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to recognize ADHD, especially in adults. While a lot of Internet sites offer symptom checklists and questionnaires, the sole reliable diagnosis of ADHD is determined by an accredited mental health professional or doctor (psychiatrist or neurologist or family doctor). The evaluation process includes an interview with the person by the clinician, preferably with a person who is in close contact with him or her like parents, spouses, sibling or teacher; or babysitter. Other important steps include assessing the impact of symptoms on the individual in school or at work, as well as at home and with family members; taking an exhaustive medical history and determining if the symptoms can be explained better by a different condition.
When looking at an adult's health, the physician will evaluate the patient's symptoms to the ones described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This manual outlines the symptoms used to diagnose ADHD in children and teenagers. These criteria are not applicable to adults due to the differences between adults and children. The doctor may also employ the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder symptoms assessment Scale for adults that is a self-report test with 40 items that measures different aspects of the symptoms of ADHD.
During the clinical interview the clinician will be looking to learn more about the person's childhood. Many people with ADHD don't recall their childhoods well or even at all. The doctor will need to get as much information from the person's parents, teachers, and other people who have known them in the past.
The clinician will ask the individual to complete a questionnaire to determine how they react to certain situations such as missing an appointment or losing their keys. The clinician will also discuss the individual's life style, the family and work history. Additionally, the doctor will ask for the list of medications the patient takes as well as the current symptoms. The clinician will determine whether the symptoms are due to other issues, such as depression or anxiety disorders, and determine the best treatment program.
Treatment
An accurate diagnosis of adult ADHD is an essential step to receiving the proper treatment. Certain people suffering from ADHD also have comorbid disorders like mood disorders and anxiety that require treatment. Others have physical ailments that affect their symptoms. Whatever is causing the symptoms, most adults suffering from this disorder have significantly improved with a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
In general the mental health professional will conduct the test for ADHD. The doctor will look over medical history and ask questions about work, school and personal issues. He may ask to speak with your spouse or parent, child or significant other to obtain more details that can't be obtained from a questionnaire. Depending on the situation an examination of the brain or a physical exam may be required.
The evaluator will use rating scales and other tools to determine if you or your child has established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity for the past six months. The evaluator will speak to family members, teachers, or coworkers to get additional information. He may ask you or your child to recall how you behaved as when you were a child. Some experts believe this interview is an essential element of a thorough ADHD assessment for adults and children.
Other tests might include a psychological examination and cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with issues with thoughts or behavior like "thought distortions" or self-defeating beliefs. A cognitive behavioral therapist will assist you or your children to replace these unhealthy habits and beliefs with healthier ones.
Your therapist can help you in developing strategies to improve your organizing skills. For example, using a daily planner and creating lists of tasks. They can help you learn to control your impulsive behavior and reduce the amount of risk you take. They can also recommend support groups, such as a life coach or ADHD coach.
Many people with ADHD are able to get relief by taking stimulant medication like methylphenidates and amphetamines. These medications are believed to increase the brain's natural levels of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that affects attention and motor coordination. These medications are only available to those with a clear diagnosis of the disorder and who meet certain criteria.
Counseling
In certain instances, people may find themselves referred to specialists for ADHD but not having the disorder. This can cause distress to the people being referred, a the use of healthcare resources and higher costs. Inappropriate referrals could result in overdiagnosis of ADHD which could increase the risk of stimulant abuse and diversion in certain cases.
A thorough diagnostic interview should be conducted by a certified clinician as part of a comprehensive ADHD assessment. This could include questions about the person's day-to-day life whether at work or in school as well as their relationship with family and friends drug and alcohol use and driving history, medical concerns and their mental health history since childhood. The examiner will look to determine if the individual is meeting the requirements for ADHD diagnosis (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness). They will also consider whether the symptoms are leading to impairment.
Standardized questionnaires and scales of rating to assess ADHD symptoms can be helpful. These can be administered either by the evaluator, or by an independent source such as spouse. These tests are especially useful for those who aren't sure about their symptoms or believe they have other causes for their symptoms. The evaluator could also ask the person to fill out an retrospective ADHD behavior profile from their childhood.
Psychological testing is a method to determine a person's mental functioning, behavior and emotional state. This can include behavioral observations ratings scales, neuropsychological tests. This provides a better picture than a single diagnostic interview and can help to inform the treatment, accommodations, and intervention plans.