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ADHD Assessment For Adults – What to Expect You can receive a referral from your primary care physician or a support group of adults with ADHD to an experienced health professional who is certified to conduct these assessments. You can also search your health insurance plan's online directory of specialists. A typical assessment lasts between one and three hours. The assessment begins with a thorough interview about your family's history, work and personal life. What to Expect It is important to see your doctor if you think you or someone in your family suffers from ADHD. Your GP might ask about your symptoms, and ask about your family history, but they will not be able to diagnose ADHD. Instead, they will need to refer you to a mental health specialist usually a psychologist for an ADHD evaluation. The initial assessment may take several hours. During the interview, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your past and present behavior. The clinician will also ask you about your past and current relationships. The interview will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria as defined by the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. To be able to be diagnosed as having ADHD, you will have be able to prove that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at minimum two settings in your daily life. This could be at home, at work or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include being unable to hold an occupation, having a difficult time maintaining a healthy relationship, or having financial issues due to impulse purchases. Depending on your situation, your physician will likely also perform certain neuropsychological or psychological tests. These tests aren't able to diagnose ADHD however they can provide valuable information on the ways in which your ADHD affects you. These tests can also be used to identify other comorbidities like anxiety and depression. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and will take your medical history before or during the exam. This will enable them to determine if there are any other medical problems that may be causing your symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorders. They should also be aware of any prior medical or psychiatric diagnoses you've had as some of these can look a lot like ADHD and may be wrongly diagnosed. During the Evaluation An ADHD evaluation is a dialogue with a mental health professional and may include questionnaires for the patient to complete. It may also involve an interview with the family member or significant other. This can be helpful, since the person may not realize how often their symptoms can cause problems for others. adhd assessment adults can also help the examiner determine any comorbid mental health issues that need to be addressed through treatment. Adults may find it difficult to be diagnosed with ADHD especially if they are older and have lots of responsibility. However, being diagnosed as an adult is not only feasible, but can significantly improve your life quality. A diagnosis helps you realize that the inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are not a personal issue or a result of lack of effort, and there's a neurological condition causing them. To get a diagnosis of ADHD, you or your child must exhibit a symptomatic behavior in at least two different settings (home school, work,) that result in major impairment. Several of these symptoms are present since early childhood, and can't be explained by another disorder. As part of the evaluation process A physical exam is typically suggested. Some medical ailments (such seizure disorders and thyroid problems) disorders), can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. The physical exam helps the examiner to rule out other causes for the symptoms. The evaluator will examine the patient's medical history as well as mental health symptoms. The evaluator will also discuss a person's life situation, and determine how symptoms affect daily functioning. It is usually helpful for an evaluator if they talk to people who know the patient, such as family members or colleagues. The evaluator will use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition to arrive at an assessment. They will ask the patient to describe the symptoms they experience in detail, as well as the ways they affect their ability to function. They will also look at whether there are any mental health conditions that require treatment for example, anxiety or depression. Follow-up After the ADHD evaluation is complete A treatment plan can be designed. In most cases, this will involve both medication and psychotherapy. It is important to note that it may take a while to find the correct dosage of medication and to see results of therapy. Therefore the most important thing you can do is to stay to it! In one-on-one sessions, it is crucial to be honest and open with your psychiatrist. This will ensure that you get the best possible care. You will be asked to complete the pre-screening questionnaire prior to meeting with a psychiatrist. They are available on your portal's dashboard and must be completed in advance of your appointment. This will help to reduce the time needed for your consultation and to make sure that your evaluator is able to meet with you as soon as is possible. In the initial session in person the evaluator will review your medical history and conduct an examination. Based on the individual it could also include screening for vision and hearing. This is done to rule out medical causes for the presenting symptoms. The next major step is an in-depth interview, which may take anywhere from one to three hours. This is an opportunity for the patient to discuss their symptoms in detail with the evaluator, and explain how they affect their daily activities. The evaluator could inquire questions on a variety of subjects including relationships, work and school, sleep patterns and eating habits. The evaluator may also want to talk with others in the patient's life such as spouses, parents siblings, teachers, coaches, and daycare providers. This information is not available from self-reporting questionnaires. It helps the evaluator determine the presence of ADHD and determine the degree of the impairment it causes to functioning. The evaluator performs an examination to examine different aspects of the condition, such as inattention, restlessness, and impulse control. The examiner may also inquire about the symptoms in various situations and under various stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different situations. After the Evaluation When you answer the questions and describe your symptoms, the specialist will note down your answers. This portion of the exam usually takes at least one to three hours, and may require multiple appointments or questionnaires. You will also be asked to provide some medical information, like the family history of health problems and your current medication. This will assist the evaluator determine if your symptoms are caused by something else. You may be required to fill out ADHD ratings scales or behavioral questions. The evaluator can also conduct a physical examination and examine your medical history. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, for example thyroid disorders or seizure disorder. The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with you, such as teachers and colleagues. These interviews will help the evaluator understand how your symptoms affect you at school or work. It is crucial to be open about your symptoms and how they affect your family and friends. After the evaluator has collected all this information, they will prepare the report for you. They will present their findings and outline a possible diagnosis. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will consult with you about ongoing treatment and support. If they don't find that you suffer from ADHD they will talk about other mental health issues and suggest ways to help. It can be a difficult procedure to obtain an ADHD evaluation, especially if you are an adult. It can be particularly challenging when you've been denied a diagnosis in the past due to the fact that many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like. It's not too late to seek an ADHD assessment. If you've struggled for a long time an assessment can provide you the information and confidence you need to seek treatment. It can also help strengthen relationships with family members. You can learn more about the symptoms and signs of ADHD on our website. You can also download an official support letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.