Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
A complete ADHD diagnostic assessment will take two hours in most cases. It will typically involve an interview with a semistructured format and psychoeducation (in easily understood language) and a discussion of the impact of core symptoms in education or employment and also in social/family life.
Symptoms
The signs of ADHD are characterized by issues in staying focused, staying organized and controlling emotions. These issues affect many aspects of life, like school or work and relationships with friends or family members. For a diagnosis of adult ADHD, several inattentive symptoms and at least one hyperactive-impulsive symptom must have been present before age 12. The symptoms also must cause significant impairments in at least two or more settings in everyday life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association contains clinical guidelines for diagnosing adults with ADHD. A certified psychiatrist or psychologist will interview the patient to obtain a detailed description of their symptoms, including when they began and how long they've been recurring. They will also inquire about what issues these symptoms have caused in the person's school, work or social life.
In addition to assessing the core ADHD symptoms, screening for other mental conditions that often occur alongside ADHD or resemble the symptoms is important (e.g. depression anxiety disorders, depression, or bipolar disorder). The test should inquire about the person's mood, their medical history, as well as any medication they have used in the past.
A person may be screened for physical or somatic conditions that can be similar to ADHD, such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. This is because these ailments are often found to be comorbid with ADHD.
It is essential to ensure that the symptoms of ADHD are not caused by other causes, such as a mood disorder or substance abuse. Making sure you have a thorough assessment is crucial because the undiagnosed ADHD can cause issues like chronic stress and low self-esteem in adults, especially if they are repeatedly being told to do better or that their failures are their own fault.
Some adults with ADHD are unable to obtain an accurate diagnosis because their symptoms are often misinterpreted or not reported. This is particularly true in schools or workplaces which do not offer accommodations for those with ADHD. When people finally receive an accurate diagnosis, they may experience a range of emotions, from relief to grief about missed opportunities.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, the first step is to get an assessment from a trained professional. A good practitioner will be able to provide details regarding their training and experience in working with adults suffering from ADHD. If you're hesitant to share this information, it is a sign that you should consider finding another professional.
The test will consist of a detailed interview which will review your developmental history, medical history and mental health history, current functioning and risk assessment. It will also inquire about your symptoms and how they affect you. The doctor will also look into any comorbidities (such as learning disabilities or co-occurring psychiatric disorders. A co-existing learning disability or psychiatric illness will be examined. The clinician will also examine your interpersonal, social, and work functioning.
The test will consist of an extensive evaluation of how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. This will include work and school, leisure, family/close relationships as well as the effect of ADHD on your self-image. It is ideal that the test be completed by more than one person to allow for an informed account of your day-to-day functioning. However, given practicalities, it is not always feasible to have multiple informants participating in assessments, therefore requesting an informal written report from one or more of your informants before the assessment is often extremely helpful [highly recommended]
It is vital to determine that your symptoms meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This will include a discussion of how your symptoms impact your life. The assessment will also examine whether or not you've suffered from these symptoms since your childhood, and if so and for how long. The assessment will also look at how your symptoms affect your daily life and your ability to achieve your goals and dreams.
ADHD can cause you to have difficulties with organization in deciding on priorities and avoiding losing things. You may also be susceptible to expressing inappropriate thoughts without considering the consequences. This can lead to anger, as appointments are missed and tasks are left unfinished. Your attention and time will be diverted by things that aren't important.
Treatment
Ask your doctor to determine you if the symptoms of ADHD create difficulties at school or at work. They can advise you on the best approach to manage them. They may also refer you to specialists, if required. If you decide to participate in the clinical trial, your provider will discuss the benefits and risks. These trials help researchers find new ways to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions.
The diagnosis of adult ADHD is a lot more complicated than for children, and the symptom checklists used in diagnosing children are largely invalid for adults. A trained clinician will conduct a thorough interview and will take their time to make an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor will ask you and someone who is familiar with you -- parents or spouses, for example -- about your symptoms and how they've impacted your life. The doctor will typically employ standardized rating scales for ADHD which compare your behavior to the behavior of people without the disorder. The doctor could also give you a physical exam and an examination for neurological disorders, including tests for balance and motor coordination.
Based on your requirements, other psychological or neuropsychological testing could be performed, too. These tests can help identify any co-existing conditions that could trigger your ADHD symptoms. They can also reveal how ADHD affects your academic performance and interpersonal relationships.
Sleep disorders are usually related to ADHD. A sound night's sleep can assist to reduce the symptoms. Your doctor is likely to suggest a schedule for sleeping and waking time to ensure you get enough rest to function. They might also advise you to avoid caffeine, nicotine and sugary food, which could aggravate your ADHD symptoms.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from participating in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that examine the effectiveness of treatment strategies for healthy or ill volunteers. They are conducted at NIMH as well as at other locations. The purpose of a clinical study is to find more efficient, effective methods to identify, treat or prevent disorders and illnesses.
Prevention
If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child, it is likely that your symptoms will persist throughout your adulthood. The symptoms can affect work, school and relationships. Adults diagnosed with ADHD can benefit from treatment, including psychotherapy and medication. Finding a doctor who can evaluate ADHD in adults is essential. You can request a referral or contact your insurance company. You can also ask for a referral from an ADHD support group in your community.
During an ADHD assessment, the health care doctor or mental health professional will ask questions and gather details from you, your family members, colleagues and friends. The professional will employ standard behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you fulfill the criteria for ADHD. Link Home Page might also use psychometric tests to test your working memory, executive function capabilities (abilities like decision-making and planning) and visual and spatial thinking skills.
The person who conducts the assessment will evaluate your symptoms to determine their severity and the impact on your daily life. You will be asked questions that are open-ended and presented with examples from your life to help you explain your symptoms. You should be able to give examples of your symptoms and how they impact your daily functioning. It is important to discuss any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms of ADHD like depression or anxiety.
They can ask a family member, friend, or partner to describe your childhood behavior. They might also ask that your parents to fill out a retrospective ADHD profile of your childhood behaviors.
Some adults with ADHD are employed by large companies, and they may not want to reveal their condition to colleagues or supervisors. However, it's generally better to be honest with your teacher or employer. They may be willing to accommodate in your work environment or give you extra time for assignments. You could also think about participating in a clinical study to test new treatments for adult ADHD. These studies are conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and other research institutes with volunteers.