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ADHD Assessment For Adults – What to Expect You can get a referral from your primary care doctor or an adult support group with ADHD to a health care professional that is certified to conduct these tests. You can also check your health insurance company's online directory of specialists. The typical assessment lasts about one to three hours. It starts with an extensive interview about your family, work and personal life. What to Expect If you think you or someone in your family may be suffering from ADHD, it is important to take the first step and visit a doctor. Your GP may ask you about your symptoms and inquire about your family history, but they cannot diagnose ADHD. They will refer you to a mental health professional, usually a psychologist, to evaluate your ADHD. The initial assessment is the longest and most complicated phase of the procedure and can take up to several hours. During the interview, you'll be asked a series standard questions about your past and present behavior. The clinician will also ask you about your past and current relationships. The goal of the interview is to determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD according to the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you will have be able to prove that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two settings in your life. This could be at work, at home or in your social life. Examples of impairment include having difficulty maintaining a job, not able to maintain a healthy relationship or getting into financial difficulties due to reckless spending. Based on your specific situation, your doctor will likely also perform some psychological or neuropsychological testing. These tests aren't able to diagnose ADHD, but they will provide important information about the ways that ADHD affects you. They can also help determine if you have any other comorbid conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Your physician will conduct a physical examination and take a medical history before or during the examination. This will allow them to identify any other medical conditions that could be causing symptoms, such as thyroid or seizure disorders. They should be aware about any prior medical or mental diagnoses because some of them may look like ADHD. During the Evaluation An interview with a mental healthcare professional may include questionnaires that the patient must complete. It may also involve an interview with a family member or significant other. This can be helpful, since the person might not be aware of how frequently their symptoms can cause problems for others. It also helps the examiner determine any comorbid mental health conditions that need to be addressed with treatment. Adults may be frightened to be diagnosed with ADHD especially when they are older and have a number of obligations. A diagnosis can improve your life significantly. A diagnosis helps you understand that the lack of attention or hyperactivity are not a individual flaw or a result of inefficiency, but there is an illness of the brain that is causing them. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child should have symptomatic behavior in at least two settings (home school, work,) that causes major impairment. These symptoms must have been present in early childhood and cannot be explained by any other disorder. A physical exam is typically recommended as part of the evaluation, as some medical illnesses (such as seizures and thyroid issues) can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. A physical exam can help the evaluator rule out other conditions that could be causing the symptoms. The evaluator will review the patient's medical history and mental health symptoms. They will also review the patient's current circumstances and evaluate the impact of the symptoms on their daily functioning. It is usually beneficial for an evaluator when they speak to people who are familiar with the patient, for example family members or coworkers. The evaluator will use the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition to arrive at diagnosis. They will ask them to describe in detail the symptoms they experience and how they impact the person's ability to function. They will also look into whether there are any mental health conditions that need treatment, like anxiety or depression. Follow-up Once an ADHD assessment has been completed the treatment plan will be developed. This may include psychotherapy and medication. It can take some time to determine the correct medication dosage or to see results from therapy. The most important thing you can do is to adhere to the treatment. During the one-on-1 sessions, it's important to be honest and open with your psychiatrist. This will help ensure that you receive the best care that you can get. Before meeting with the psychiatrist, you will be asked to complete a series of pre-screening questionnaires. They are available on your portal's dashboard. Please fill them out before your appointment. This will cut down on the length of your appointment, and will ensure that you meet your evaluator as fast as you can. The examiner will conduct a physical examination and examine your medical history during the first in-person session. Depending on the patient it could also include a hearing and vision screening. This is to rule out any medical reasons for the present symptoms. The next stage is an in-depth assessment, which may be anywhere between one and three hours. The patient can discuss their symptoms with the evaluator in depth and explain how the symptoms affect their daily life. The evaluator could inquire about a range of questions including relationships, work, school, sleep patterns, and eating habits. The evaluator might also want to interview those who are close to the patient, such as their spouses, parents or siblings teachers, coaches, or daycare providers. This provides information that is not obtainable from self-report questionnaires. It also helps the examiner to confirm the presence of ADHD symptoms, as well as determine the severity and extent of their impact on function. The evaluator will then perform an examination that will look at several areas associated with the disorder, including inattention, restlessness, and impulse control. The evaluator can also inquire about the symptoms in various environments and under different stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different situations. After the Evaluation When you answer the questions and describe your symptoms, the specialist will take notes. The evaluation typically takes between one to three hours, and may involve multiple meetings or questionnaires. You will also be asked to provide some medical information, like a family history of health problems and your current medication. This will help the evaluator to determine if you are experiencing symptoms due to something else. You might be asked to fill out ADHD ratings scales or behavioral tests. The evaluator could also conduct an examination of your body and review your medical history. It is important to rule out other medical conditions, like seizures or thyroid issues, that can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator may also speak to people who know you, like teachers and coworkers. These interviews will allow the evaluator to understand the way your symptoms affect your school or work. It is crucial to be honest and open about your symptoms, and how they impact you and other people. After the evaluator has gathered all this information after which they will create an evaluation report for you. They will outline their findings and a possible diagnosis. If they determine that you are suffering from ADHD they will consult with you about ongoing treatment and support. If they do not find that you suffer from ADHD they will speak to you about any other psychiatric issues and recommend ways to help. It can be a difficult procedure to undergo an ADHD assessment, particularly when you are an adult. It can be especially challenging if you've been denied an earlier diagnosis due to the fact that many medical professionals hold preconceived assumptions regarding what ADHD appears and sounds like. However, it is never too late to seek an ADHD assessment. A diagnosis could help you find treatment if you've been struggling for many years. It can also help to strengthen relationships with your family members. On our website you can learn more about the signs and symptoms associated with ADHD. You can also download a letter of support from ADHD UK that you can send to your GP.