ADHD Assessment For Adults
The first step to determining whether you or your child is ADHD is to take an assessment. The clinician will interview you about your development, health and family history. They may also talk to your partner, friends or teachers to obtain an accurate picture of your symptoms.
You will be asked to rate your symptoms on a rating scale. You must answer honestly to get the most accurate results.
Diagnosis
Mental health professionals will look at symptoms and their impact on the daily routine of the person to determine if they are suffering from ADHD. They will ask about the person's life experiences in school, as well as those at home and at work. They can also use standardized scales and questionnaires to help determine whether ADHD symptoms are present. They will also interview family members, friends and others who know the individual well.
A thorough evaluation of ADHD can take anywhere between one and three hours. It is important that the person is prepared with a list of the symptoms they experience and how they affect their lives. They should also bring their medical history as well as any other health conditions. It is also an excellent idea to inquire with their insurance provider to determine whether or not ADHD assessments are covered.
The patient must be honest and forthcoming in completing the assessment. The clinician may ask for permission to interview other people, such as the spouse or close friend of the individual, to get a complete picture of their life. They may also ask permission to speak to the individual's teachers or parents to find out more about his or her childhood experiences.
Adults can have ADHD but they cannot be diagnosed if they didn't exhibit symptoms as a child (technically, before the age of 12). This is because ADHD does not always go away. It is also important for the therapist to know how the symptoms are affecting their life, and in what circumstances they occur.
ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms are so severe that they hinder the performance of the person in at least two aspects of their lives, including school and home. The symptoms must cause impairment that is enduring, in spite of efforts made by the person to overcome them. Consult your doctor if you think that you might have ADHD. You can also reach out to people who suffer from ADHD and speak to them about your issues. They may have tips and suggestions to help you manage your condition better.
Treatment
A thorough ADHD assessment can be long, ranging between one and three hours. It is essential that the person receiving the assessment is able to answer all questions fully and provide the doctor. The examiner will inquire about the patient's development medical and psychiatric background. They could also talk to other people, such as teachers, family members, and other health care providers.
The evaluator might ask the patient if they have encountered difficulties at school or at work. The clinician will also consider the way ADHD symptoms impact the person's home life and relationships.
The evaluator will recommend further tests based on the results of an initial evaluation. This testing is designed to determine other conditions, like personality disorders and learning disabilities that may have similar symptoms as ADHD. Additionally, the evaluator will screen for thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.
Many people who are assessed for ADHD also have anxiety or depression. In these instances the evaluator will talk about options for psychotherapy. This usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which is designed to help people develop strategies for self-medicating and control. CBT can be offered individually or in a group setting.
Some experts believe that ADHD patients should receive psychotherapy along with medication. The majority of studies show that ADHD is treated best with medication and psychotherapy on its own. A thorough ADHD assessment is essential to determine the treatment plan that's right for each individual.
If private adhd assessment for adults interested in an ADHD evaluation, contact your insurance company to find out if they have specialists in ADHD diagnosis. You can also ask your family physician for recommendations. You can also contact your local chapter or mental health professional association to find out who in your area is an expert in ADHD. You can also seek referrals from support groups, such as those for people with bipolar disorder or depression.
Counseling
A competent mental health professional is likely to ask you lots of questions about your issues and how you've attempted to overcome these issues. She will also ask about your family and professional life, as well as other issues, such as drug or alcohol abuse, and emotional traumas. She might also interview people close to you, such as your spouse or another important person, or even a coach, teacher or nanny who knows you well from childhood -- for their insight about your previous and present functioning. This is particularly relevant for adults whose memories of their past behavior may be distorted by ADHD symptoms.
Based on the circumstances depending on the situation, you may require additional tests to rule out other causes for your issues. This could include cognitive tests for learning or intellectual disability; medical exams for seizures or thyroid disorders that can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD and psychotherapy to help deal with emotional issues such as depression or the feeling that you've been unable to overcome.
Psychotherapy is a valuable option for adults suffering from ADHD, because it can teach you new ways to deal with the effects of ADHD at work as well as at home. It can help you improve your organizational skills as well as teach you strategies to improve concentration, impulse control and executive function. It can also help reduce stress and improve your relationship with your spouse or other people in your life.
Many mobile and online services can help you find an expert in adult ADHD. These services let you choose from a list of licensed providers, which includes psychiatric nurses and social workers who are rated by their patients as good, very good or excellent. They can help you create a schedule that fits your budget and lifestyle.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association contains clinical guidelines to diagnose ADHD. During the assessment doctors will evaluate symptoms with those described in the manual to determine if you suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis is based on symptoms in two or more settings such as school or on the job; the symptoms are persistent and debilitating, they started in childhood and can't be explained by another mental health issue or medical condition such as anxiety or depression.
Support
For some adults, the idea of having ADHD is a source of shame, and it is easy to dismiss symptoms as "just being me." Many people stay away from seeking treatment for a long time because they are afraid to admit they struggle with keeping the track of their activities, staying organized or keeping deadlines. A thorough evaluation by an expert in mental health or health care provider is often the first step in treatment. The evaluation will look at the patient's mood and medical history as well as how the symptoms affect the work environment, relationships with family and friends and other aspects of everyday life.
A thorough ADHD evaluation may take several hours. The most important part is an in-depth interview. The examiner will use standard questions to ensure that all symptoms are addressed, and then compares them with the ADHD diagnostic criteria. The examiner will go through old school reports questionnaires, brain imaging, in the event that it is available.
The report that is generated will aid in identifying comorbidity. If the patient also has depression or anxiety symptoms, they could overlap with ADHD. The report will also reveal other factors that contribute to the difficulties of a person such as medical conditions, learning disabilities and stress.
Once a diagnosis has been that it is ADHD The next step would be to find a therapist or psychiatrist with experience to treat this disorder. Contact your insurance company to find out whether they will cover professionals who are experts in treating ADHD. If they do not, the patient must ask for referrals from other patients who have been treated successfully and ask for recommendations from local support groups.
CHADD is a major organization with chapters in the U.S. Its website has a wealth information on ADHD and lists of professionals who are trained to treat the disorder. There are also groups on social media sites like Facebook for people suffering from ADHD. Be careful to ensure that the group you join is not a commercial venture.