ADHD Assessment For Adults
If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, the first step is to obtain an assessment. The clinician will ask you questions regarding your health, development, and family history. They may also talk to your partner, friends or teachers to get a more complete picture of your symptoms.
You will be asked to rate your symptoms on a rating scale. Be honest and you will get the most precise results.
Diagnosis
Mental health professionals will analyze the signs and effects on the daily routine of the person to determine ADHD. They will inquire about the person's life experiences at school, and at work. They may also use standardized questionnaires and scales to determine the extent to which ADHD symptoms are present. They may also conduct interviews with relatives, friends and people who know the person well.
A thorough assessment for ADHD can take anywhere from one to three hours. It is important for the patient to be prepared with a list containing symptoms and their impact on their lives. They should also bring a medical history and any other health issues. It is also an excellent idea to inquire with their insurance company to find out whether or not ADHD assessments are covered.
The patient must be honest and open when completing the assessment. The doctor may request permission to speak with other people like the spouse or close friend of the person to get a full understanding of their experience. They can also request permission to speak with the person's parents or teachers to learn more about their childhood experiences.
While adults may have ADHD however, they aren't diagnosed with it even if they did not exhibit symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). This is because ADHD does not always go away. It is important that the physician is aware of how the symptoms affect the patient's life, and in the contexts they manifest.
The diagnosis of ADHD requires that the symptoms are significant enough to hinder the ability of a person to function in at least two distinct areas of their life such as at home and in school. The symptoms have to cause an impairment that persists, in spite of the individual's efforts to overcome them. If you suspect that you have ADHD, talk to your doctor about an assessment. You may also contact people who suffer from ADHD and speak to them about your issues. You might get some useful tips and suggestions from them that can help you manage your condition better.
Treatment
A thorough ADHD assessment can be long, lasting anywhere from one to three hours. It is essential that the person undergoing the evaluation spend the time to answer all questions and provide the clinician the information they require. The evaluator will ask about the patient's development medical and psychiatric background. He or she might also ask questions of others like teachers, family members and other healthcare providers.
The evaluator might ask the patient if they've encountered any issues at school or work. The doctor will also look at how ADHD symptoms affect the person's personal life and relationships.
Depending on the results of the initial evaluation the evaluator might recommend further testing. This test is designed to detect other conditions like learning disorders and personality disorders that could exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. Additionally, the evaluator will screen for thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.
Many of the people who are evaluated for ADHD have other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In these instances the evaluator might discuss the options for psychotherapy. This will usually include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is designed to help people develop strategies for self-medicating and control. CBT can be provided in an individual or group setting.
Some experts believe that ADHD patients should receive psychotherapy in addition to medication. The majority of research suggests that ADHD is best treated using medication by itself. A comprehensive ADHD assessment is essential to identify the treatment plan appropriate for each person.
If you're interested in having an ADHD assessment, consult your insurance company to determine whether it has specialists for ADHD diagnosis. You may consult your family doctor for a recommendation. You can also contact your local chapter or the mental health professional association to find out if someone in your area is a specialist in ADHD. You can also request referrals from support groups for support groups, like those that cater to people who suffer from bipolar disorder and depression.
Counseling
A qualified mental health professional will be able to ask you many questions about your issues and the ways you've tried to resolve these issues. She will also inquire about your work and family life, as well as other issues such as alcohol or drug abuse and emotional traumas. You may also wish to talk to family members close to you like your spouse, other significant person or a coach, teacher or mentor who has known you since childhood to gain their perspective about how you're feeling now as well as in the past. This is particularly important for adults whose memories of their past behaviors may be altered by ADHD symptoms.
In the event of a situation it is possible that you will require additional tests to rule out other causes for your issues. This could include cognitive tests to determine if you have intellectual or learning disabilities; medical exams such as for thyroid disorders or seizure disorder, which can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) to help you manage your emotions like depression or feelings of inadequacy that may exacerbate or conceal your ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy is a beneficial tool for adults suffering from ADHD, because it can teach you new ways to manage their effects at work as well as at home. It can help you develop better organization skills and develop strategies to improve your concentration, executive control and impulse control. It can also reduce distress and improve your relationship with your spouse or with others in your life.
There are many mobile and online-based services that can assist you to find a therapist with expertise in adult ADHD. These services allow you to choose from a list of licensed professionals, including psychiatric nurses and social workers who are rated by their patients as very good, good or excellent. They can assist you in finding the best schedule for your lifestyle and your budget.
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 examination doctors will examine symptoms to those listed in the manual to determine if you have ADHD. A diagnosis is made when symptoms manifest in more than one setting like work or school, and are debilitating and persistent, and begin in childhood.
Support
Some adults find the idea of ADHD as a stigmatizing condition and dismiss symptoms as being a "normal" part of life. They are reluctant to seek treatment because they don't want to admit they have trouble keeping track of their tasks in a timely manner, or meeting deadlines. Often the first step toward treatment is a thorough assessment by a medical professional or mental health professional. This process examines the person's mood and medical history as well as how symptoms impact the work environment, relationships with friends and family as well as other aspects of everyday life.
A comprehensive ADHD assessment could take a few hours. The most important thing is a thorough interview. The examiner is using an established set of questions to ensure that all relevant symptoms are addressed and compared with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The examiner will also look over reports from the past as well as questionnaires, and in the event that they are available, brain imaging.
The resulting report can help identify 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.
If adhd assessments for adults is that it is ADHD, the next step would be to find a therapist, or psychiatrist with experience who can treat this disorder. The patient should check with their insurance provider to determine if there are providers who specialize in treating ADHD covered under their plan. If not, they should ask patients who have been successfully treated for recommendations and request recommendations from local groups.
One great source of support is CHADD which is a national organization with chapters throughout the U.S. Their website offers a wealth of information on ADHD, including lists of professionals who have been certified to treat the disorder. There are also groups on social media sites such as Facebook for people who suffer from ADHD. Be careful to ensure that the group you join isn't commercially-oriented.