How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis It's not as easy as taking online tests or using an evaluation scale. adhd testing adults involves a medical and psychiatric evaluation. Doctors look over family and medical histories including school records from the past as well as past tests. They also talk to parents as well as teachers and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often seen within families. Signs and symptoms If a person is having trouble staying on task and paying attention to the details or even completing tasks that require a lot of attention it could be ADHD. Many people suffer from other disorders like depression or anxiety, which can produce the same symptoms. That's why an accurate diagnosis is so important. A thorough assessment will help determine whether the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder. A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is experienced with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask questions and speak to the person about their symptoms and how long they've been occurring regularly, how often, and how severe they are. They will ask about the person's family and medical background along with their educational and work experience, as well as their family. It is crucial for a doctor to know about any problems in the life of a person like financial issues or problems with relationships. They might also have to talk to the person's employer or teacher about any problems they have encountered with the person's performance at work or in school. The doctor will interview parents, and may also need to interview other adults like teachers or coaches, nannies or coaches. During the exam the doctor will collect the person's medical history and do a physical. The physical can check for conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD or other disorders, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also look over the individual's education and work history, as well as any other relevant records. The provider will also perform an assessment of the psychological or behavioral. This could be a checklist of symptoms, or an assessment system that measures the way a person feels about certain behavior. They may also use cognitive and learning disabilities tests to see if the person suffers from a learning disability or other disorders that can mimic ADHD. They will also ask the person about their daily routine, including whether they're experiencing stress situations or if they have any other medical conditions that can increase ADHD symptoms. They will also ask about the person's ability to follow directions and interact with others. Diagnosis The signs of ADHD affect many aspects of life for children and adults. They can cause problems at school and work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. These issues can also affect driving and financial. Finding a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD is the first step to getting an accurate diagnosis. Your child's doctor can perform a screening or you might want to find an expert psychiatrist who is specialized in mental illness. The doctor will first talk to the patient regarding their behavior. In general the doctor will inquire about the symptoms for at least six months. This ensures that the symptoms are consistent and they've remained constant throughout the time. The examiner will use an assessment scale to determine the symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5. The specialist will also inquire about any current difficulties and examine the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. They will also review the person's academic and driving history and relationship and family problems. The examiner wants to know the lifestyle of the person and if they are a drug or alcohol addict. To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the doctor must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be better explained by a different disorder. The symptoms should be present at least twice and for a minimum of six months. Furthermore, the symptoms should be debilitating and not related to any other condition. The doctor may conduct one of the tests for attention like the TOVA Continuous Performance Test, to confirm a diagnosis. The TOVA test is performed on a computer and involves watching a series of visual stimuli, for example shapes or letters, that appear on the screen. The user watches the images, and presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to show the difficulty of people to focus on tasks. Treatment A mental health professional will assess a person who has symptoms of ADHD. This will include an extensive physical exam and a review of family and medical history, and a psychiatric assessment. The examination will include questions about symptoms and how they affect the individual's performance. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests. The doctor may also speak with the patient's spouse If appropriate. This is not to assess honesty, but to get a better understanding of the patient's life experiences and behaviours. Many people with ADHD have a difficult time recalling their childhood experiences and it may be beneficial to talk to other adults who have known the patient for a long time. This can help the doctor determine if there are other conditions which may trigger similar symptoms. For children the evaluator may interview the children's teachers and parents. This is especially important when the child is experiencing issues at school. The evaluator can also inquire about the child’s social life, and how the home and school environment is organized. This is vital, as the social environment is an important stressor for those with ADHD. The doctor will use the same scale of rating for adult patients. However, it is more sophisticated. It is used to collect research data on symptoms. In certain instances the examiner will use computerized testing in order to detect ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most frequently used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers called the continuous performance test (CPT) is a measure of an individual's ability to sustain concentration for a specified amount of time. The evaluator will determine whether the person meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning. Medication If your child is diagnosed with ADHD medication is likely to be a part of the treatment plan. The stimulant drugs are absorbed into bloodstreams and offer quick relief from the symptoms. However, these medications should be taken with care. Too much of a stimulant could lead to heart issues or addiction. The medications that enter the body in time, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine, are safer but don't work as quickly as stimulants do. These drugs may not be an option for children who have some medical issues, such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease. Psychotherapy is an important element of the treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn better organizational skills and find strategies to improve their work performance and social relationships. For instance, a therapist may instruct the client to make use of reminders, such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on track. Therapists can also assist people with ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and find ways to deal with stressful situations in their lives. For adults suffering from ADHD, a psychologist or psychiatrist can conduct tests that screen for anxiety, depression as well as learning disabilities and other disorders that could look like or coexist with ADHD, such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can also conduct physical examinations and review the medical records of the patient, their family history, and behavior. Some therapists use computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the ability of a person's brain to maintain concentration and withstand impulsive impulses by presenting targets on the computer screen. The test is designed to measure the person's cognitive function and can be utilized in combination with self-report questions to provide the doctor with an objective measurement of the patient's response to therapy. A newer genetic test is available which can reveal how a person's body will be able to process drugs. The test will help doctors choose the most appropriate drug for each individual and help avoid harmful unwanted side negative effects. However, this kind of test is costly and is not readily available. A medical professional is the most reliable method to diagnose ADHD in the individual.
