ADHD Assessment For Adults
The first step to determine whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD is to get an assessment. The doctor will ask questions about your health, developmental and family history. They might also speak with your partner, friends or teachers to get more detailed information about your symptoms.
The evaluator will ask you to rate your symptoms using rating scales. Answer honestly to get the most precise results.
Diagnosis
Mental health professionals will look at symptoms and their impact on the person's daily life to determine if they are suffering from ADHD. They will inquire about their childhood experiences as well as their school and work experiences. They may also use standard scales and questionnaires to help determine whether ADHD symptoms are present. They also talk to family members, friends and others who know the individual well.
A thorough assessment of ADHD can take anywhere between one and three hours. It is essential for the patient to be prepared with a list containing symptoms and their effects on their lives. Also, they should bring their medical history as well as any other health conditions. It is also an excellent idea to inquire with their insurance provider to find out whether or not ADHD assessments are covered.
It is crucial that the person be honest and open during the evaluation. The therapist may ask permission to speak with other people, such as a spouse or close friend to obtain a more complete understanding of the individual's experience. They may also ask permission to speak with the individual's teachers or parents to learn more about his or her childhood experiences.
While adults may have ADHD, they cannot be diagnosed even if they did not exhibit symptoms during childhood (technically before age 12). This is because most individuals do not outgrow ADHD. It is essential that the clinician is aware of how the symptoms affect the patient's life, and in which situations they can occur.
ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms are severe enough to affect the functioning of a person in at least two areas of their lives, such as school and at home. The symptoms should persist despite efforts to overcome them. Consult your doctor if you think that you may be suffering from ADHD. You may also contact people with ADHD and speak with them about your symptoms. They may have some suggestions and advice for you that can help you manage your ADHD more effectively.
Treatment
A thorough ADHD evaluation can take anywhere between one and three hours. It is crucial that the person taking the assessment takes the time to fully answer questions and provide information to the clinician. The evaluator can inquire about the patient's medical, developmental and psychiatric history. They may also interview others, such as family members, teachers and other care providers.
As part of the assessment, the evaluator will ask whether the patient has been having issues at school or at work. The doctor will also look at the ways in which the symptoms of ADHD affect the patient's life at home and in relationships.
The evaluator will recommend additional testing based on the results of an initial evaluation. This test is designed to detect other conditions, such as personality disorders and learning disorders that might have similar symptoms as ADHD. The evaluator may also screen for seizure or thyroid disorders.
Many of the people who are evaluated for ADHD also have anxiety or depression. In these instances the evaluator will talk about psychotherapy options. This usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy that is designed to promote strategies for self-medicating and control. CBT can be provided either in a private or group setting.
Some experts believe that people with ADHD should be offered psychotherapy in conjunction with medication. However the majority of research shows that ADHD is best treated with medication on its own. A comprehensive ADHD assessment is essential to determining the treatment plan that's suitable for each individual.
If you're looking for an ADHD assessment, contact your insurance provider to find out whether they have specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. You could consult your family doctor for a recommendation. You can also contact your local chapter or mental health professional association to find out who in your area is a specialist in ADHD. You can also request referrals from support groups, like those for those suffering from depression or bipolar disorder.
Counseling
A qualified mental health professional can talk to you at length about the issues you are experiencing, as well as the methods you've tried to resolve the issues. She will also inquire about your family and work life, and other issues such as alcohol or drug abuse, and emotional traumas. She might also ask people who are close to you, for example, your spouse or a important person, or a coach, teacher or nanny who has known you from childhood -- for their insight about your past and current functioning. This is particularly important for adults whose memories about their past behavior may be distorted by ADHD symptoms.
You may need to have additional tests done depending on your specific situation to rule out other possible causes for your issues. This could include cognitive testing for learning or intellectual disability and medical tests for seizures or thyroid disorders which can cause symptoms similar to ADHD and psychotherapy to help you deal with emotional issues such as depression or feelings that you've been unable to overcome.
Psychotherapy is a beneficial tool for ADHD adults, as it helps you cope with the effects of ADHD at work and home. It will help you improve your organization skills and develop strategies to improve your focus as well as impulse control and executive function. It can also improve your relationship with others and reduce your stress.
There are many online and mobile-based services that can help you find a therapist who specializes in adult ADHD. These services allow you to pick from a directory of licensed professionals including psychiatric nurses and social workers who have been rated excellent or very good excellent by their clients. They can assist you in creating an agenda that is compatible with your budget and your lifestyle.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association contains clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. During the assessment process doctors will examine your symptoms to those described in this manual to determine if you have ADHD. A diagnosis is made when symptoms are present in more than one place like school or work, are debilitating and persistent, and begin in childhood.
Support
For some adults, the idea of having ADHD is stigmatizing, and it is easy to dismiss symptoms as "just being me." Many people will not seek treatment for a long time because they don't want 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 professional is typically the first step towards treatment. This process examines the person's mood and medical history, as well as how symptoms impact work, relationships with family and friends, and other aspects of everyday life.
A thorough ADHD assessment may take several hours. Read Even more is an in-depth interview. The examiner is using a set of standard questions to ensure that all relevant symptoms are addressed and compared with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The examiner will look over old school reports questionnaires, brain imaging if it is available.
The report that is generated will aid in identifying the presence of comorbidity. If the patient also has depression or anxiety symptoms, they can often overlap with ADHD. The report will also identify any other factors that might cause a person's problems, such as medical or learning disabilities.
Once a diagnosis has been given to ADHD, the next step would be to locate a therapist or psychiatrist with experience who can treat this disorder. The patient should check with their insurance provider to find out if there are specialists who treat ADHD covered under their policy. If they do not, the patient must solicit referrals from other patients who have had success in treatment and seek recommendations from local support groups.
CHADD is a national organization that has chapters throughout the U.S. Its website has a wealth information on ADHD and lists of specialists who are certified to treat the disorder. It is also worth looking into social media websites, such as Facebook where there are several groups for people living with ADHD. Make sure you confirm whether the group is a commercial venture before you join.