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ADHD Assessment For Adults – What to Expect Your primary care physician or a support group for adults with ADHD can recommend a certified health professional who can perform these assessments. You can also search your health insurance company's online directory for specialists. A typical assessment takes between one and three hours. The process begins with a thorough interview about your work, family and personal life. What to Expect If you are concerned that you or someone in your family may have ADHD, it is important to first take the first step and visit a doctor. Your GP may ask you about your symptoms and ask about the history of your family, but they are not able to diagnose ADHD. Instead, they'll need to refer you to a mental health specialist, typically a psychologist, for an ADHD assessment. The initial assessment may take several hours. During the interview the clinician will ask you a series standardized questions about your current and past behaviour. They will also inquire about your relationships as well as any issues you have experienced in the past. The aim of the interview is to determine if you meet the requirements for ADHD according to the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. To be able to be diagnosed as having ADHD you must be able to prove that your symptoms cause impairment in at minimum two settings in your daily life. This could be at your home, at work, or in your social life. Examples of impairment could include having difficulty maintaining a job, unable to maintain an appropriate relationship, or getting into financial trouble due to reckless spending. Based on the circumstances Your doctor may also conduct tests for neuropsychology or psychological. These tests are not able to diagnose ADHD but they can provide valuable information regarding how ADHD impacts your life. They can also help identify the presence of any other comorbidities like anxiety or depression. Before or during the exam, your GP will need to perform a physical exam and obtain your medical history. This will help them identify any other medical conditions that could be causing symptoms, like seizure or thyroid disorders. They should also be aware of any prior medical or psychiatric diagnosis you have had, since some of them may appear similar to ADHD and could be wrongly diagnosed. During the Evaluation A conversation with a mental healthcare professional can include questionnaires that the patient has to complete. It may also involve an interview with the family member or significant other. This can be beneficial, since the person may not be aware of how often their symptoms cause problems for others. It could also help the person being evaluated to identify any mental health conditions that need to be addressed with treatment. Adults can find it intimidating to be diagnosed with ADHD, especially if they are older and have lots of responsibility. A diagnosis can change your life greatly. A diagnosis will help you understand that hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity do not occur due to a lack effort or personal failing or a neurological disorder. To get a diagnosis of ADHD, you or your child should be exhibiting symptoms in at least two different settings (home, school, work) that cause significant impairment. These symptoms must have been present from the beginning of childhood and cannot be explained by other disorder. A physical exam is generally suggested as part of the examination, since certain medical illnesses (such as seizure disorders and thyroid issues) can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. A physical exam is also a way for the evaluator to determine if these conditions are a cause of the symptoms. The examiner will look at the patient's medical history as well as mental health symptoms. They will also discuss the patient's present situation and assess how the symptoms affect their daily life. It can be beneficial for the evaluator to ensure that they talk to people who are familiar with the patient, like family members or coworkers. The evaluator uses the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition in order to determine diagnosis. They will ask the patient to explain the symptoms they experience in detail, and how they interfere with their ability to function. adhd assessments for adults will also look into whether there are any mental health conditions that need treatment, like anxiety or depression. During the Follow-Up After the ADHD assessment is completed the treatment plan can be designed. This may include psychotherapy and medication. It is important to remember that it may take time to find the correct medication dosage and to see the results of therapy. Therefore, the most important thing you can do during treatment is stick with it! It is important to be honest and open with your psychiatrist during one-on-one sessions. This will help ensure that you receive the highest quality care that you can get. You will be asked to fill out the pre-screening questionnaire prior to meeting with a psychiatrist. These can be found on your portal's dashboard and should be completed prior to your appointment. This will reduce the time required for your appointment and to ensure that your evaluator can meet with you as soon as is possible. The examiner will conduct a physical examination and examine your medical history during the first in-person session. This could include hearing or vision screening depending on the patient. This is done in order to determine if there is a medical cause of the symptoms. The next step is a detailed interview, which can last from one to three hour. The patient can discuss their symptoms with the evaluator in depth and explain how the issues affect their daily lives. The evaluator will ask about a wide variety of topics, including relationships and work, school, sleep patterns, and eating habits. The evaluator may also wish to speak with people who are close to the patient, like their parents, spouses, siblings teachers, coaches, and daycare providers. This information is not available from self-reporting questionnaires. It can help the evaluator determine the presence of ADHD and determine the extent and severity to which it interferes with functioning. The evaluator will then conduct an examination that will look at several areas related to the disorder, such as inattention, restlessness, as well as impulse control. The examiner may also inquire about the symptoms in different situations and under various stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different circumstances. After the Evaluation The doctor will note down your symptoms as you describe your symptoms and answer questions. The assessment could last up to three hours, and may include multiple meetings or questionnaires. You will be asked some medical information including your family history of health issues and current medication. This will assist the evaluator determine if your symptoms could be due to something else. You may be required to fill out ADHD ratings scales or behavioral tests. The evaluator may also review your medical history and perform physical examination. It is crucial to rule out any other medical conditions, such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders that may cause symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator could also talk to people who know you, such as teachers and coworkers. These interviews will allow the evaluator to understand how your symptoms impact you at work or school. It is important to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect the people around you as well as you. The evaluator will then prepare an extensive report for you. They will discuss their findings and outline a potential diagnosis. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will speak to you about ongoing support and treatment. If they don't discover that you are suffering from ADHD they will speak to you about other psychiatric problems and suggest ways to assist. The process of obtaining an ADHD evaluation can be challenging and frightening, particularly as an adult. It can be especially challenging when you've been denied a previous diagnosis because doctors have preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is like in appearance and sound. It's not too late to seek an ADHD assessment. If you have struggled for a long time an assessment can provide you the information and confidence that you should seek treatment. It also helps you build stronger relationships with loved ones. You can find out more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD on our website and download an official support letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.