Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
A full ADHD diagnostic assessment should take up two hours in the majority of cases. It will usually involve an interview that is semi-structured and a psychoeducation regarding the condition (including in a language that is easily understood) and a discussion about the impact of core symptoms on education or employment and other aspects of family or social life, such as driving.
Symptoms
ADHD symptoms include issues with attention, organization and control of emotions. These issues can impact many aspects of life such as work or school as well as relationships with friends or family. 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 must also cause significant impairments in two or more settings in daily life.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for identifying adults suffering from ADHD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A trained psychologist or psychiatrist will talk to the person for a thorough history of their symptoms, including when they began and for how long they have been occurring. They will also inquire about what issues these symptoms have caused in the person's job, school or social life.
In addition to assessing primary ADHD symptoms, it is essential to screen for any other mental health issues that frequently co-occur with ADHD or that mimic the symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder). The examination should inquire about the person's mood, their medical history, and any past medication usage.
A person can also be screened to determine whether they suffer from any physical or mental conditions which could mimic ADHD. These include headaches, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. This is due to the fact that these conditions are often found to be in conjunction with ADHD.
It is crucial to ensure that the symptoms of ADHD are not better caused by other causes such as the presence of a mood disorder, medical condition, or a substance abuse. If it is not diagnosed, ADHD in adults can cause chronic stress, low self-esteem and other problems.
Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to receive a proper diagnosis because their symptoms are not properly understood or are not properly reported, particularly in schools or workplaces which do not provide accommodations for people with ADHD. In these cases people may be confronted with a range of emotions from sadness to relief over lost opportunities, when they finally receive the diagnosis.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD the first step is to get an assessment by a professional who is qualified. A reputable professional will be able to share information about their training and experience in working with adults suffering from ADHD. Reluctance in this regard is to be considered a red flag and may be an indicator that you need to consider hiring a different professional.
The assessment will include an in-depth interview that will examine your development history, medical history and the psychiatric background, your current functioning, and risk assessment. It will also inquire about your symptoms and the impact they have on you. In addition, the therapist will look into possible comorbidities (e.g. an underlying psychiatric disorder that is coexisting or learning disability) and carry out an evaluation of your interpersonal, social and work functioning.
The test will comprise a detailed evaluation of how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. This includes the effects on your school, work and leisure, as well as family/close connections and the effect on self-image. It is ideal that the assessment be conducted by multiple people to get a full picture of your performance. However, given practicalities that may not be feasible to have multiple informants participating in assessments, therefore requesting an informal written summary from one or more of your informants before the assessment is usually very beneficial (highly recommended)
It is crucial to determine whether your symptoms meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This will include a discussion of how your symptoms are affecting your daily life. The assessment will also consider whether or not you've been experiencing these symptoms since childhood, and if so the length of time. The assessment will also examine how your symptoms affect your daily life and your ability to achieve your goals and desires.
Having ADHD could mean that you have difficulty with organisation and prioritising your tasks. You may lose things easily, and tend to spit out inappropriate thoughts without thinking of the consequences. This can lead to lots of frustration when appointments are missed, work assignments remain unfinished, and your attention and time are spent on distractions that are not important.
Treatment
Ask your doctor to evaluate you if the symptoms of ADHD can cause issues at school or at work. They can give you guidance on how to manage the symptoms. They may also refer you to an expert, if needed. If doctors who treat adhd in adults choose to take part in a clinical trial, your provider will discuss the benefits and risks. These trials aid researchers in discovering new ways to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions.
The diagnosis of adult ADHD is more complex than for children, and the symptom checklists used in diagnosing children are largely not applicable to adults. A good diagnosis emerges from an in-depth clinical interview conducted by a qualified doctor who takes her time with the evaluation.
Your doctor will ask you, and someone you trust (a spouse or parent for example) about your issues and the impact they have had on your life. Doctors will also use standardized ADHD rating scales to assess your behavior with that of people who do not suffer from the disorder. You may also be offered an examination for your brain, including tests of balance and motor coordination.
Based on the specific needs of your situation depending on the needs of your case, you could also undergo other neuropsychological or psychological tests. These tests can detect any co-existing conditions which may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They can also show how ADHD affects your academic performance and your relationships.
Sleep disorders are often found in hand with ADHD and a good night's rest can greatly reduce the symptoms. Your doctor will probably recommend a bedtime and wake-up routine to ensure that you get enough sleep to function. They might also advise you to avoid caffeine, nicotine and sugary food, which could aggravate your ADHD symptoms.
Clinical trials may be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that investigate the efficacy of treatment methods in healthy volunteers or patients. They are conducted at NIMH and at other sites. The aim of a clinical study is to find more efficient, effective methods to identify, treat or prevent disorders and illnesses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
If you have a history of ADHD as an infant, your symptoms are likely to be present throughout your adulthood. The symptoms can interfere with relationships, work and school. Adults who are diagnosed with ADHD may benefit from treatment, which includes psychotherapy and medication. Finding a doctor who can evaluate ADHD in adults is important. Ask your physician for a recommendation or contact your insurance company for assistance. You can also request the recommendation of an ADHD support group in your local area.
During an ADHD assessment, your health care provider or mental health professional will ask questions and gather information from you, your family, colleagues and friends. The professional will likely use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. The doctor may also conduct psychological tests to assess your working memory, executive functioning capabilities (abilities such as making decisions and planning) and spatial and visual reasoning abilities.
The person who will conduct your assessment will evaluate the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will employ open-ended questions as well as real-world examples to help you explain your symptoms. You should be able to give specific examples of your symptoms and how they impact your daily functioning. It is also important to talk about any comorbid conditions that could be contributing to your ADHD symptoms, like anxiety, depression and substance use disorder.
They may ask a close family member or friend to describe your childhood behavior. They might ask your parents to fill in an ephemeral ADHD Profile that describes your childhood behavior.
Certain adults with ADHD work in large organizations and might not want to tell their co-workers or managers about their disorder. It is recommended to be upfront with your teacher or employer. They may be willing make accommodations for you in your workplace or offer you extra time to finish assignments. You may also take part in a clinical study to test out new treatments for adult ADHD. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other research institutions conduct these studies with volunteers.