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ADHD Assessment For Adults – What to Expect Your primary care physician or a support group for adults suffering from ADHD can recommend a certified health care professional who performs these evaluations. You can also check the health insurance plan's online directory of specialists. The typical assessment lasts about one to three hours. It begins with an extensive interview about your work, family 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 may ask you about your symptoms and ask about the history of your family, but they will not be able to diagnose ADHD. Instead, they'll need to refer you to a mental health professional typically a psychologist for an ADHD evaluation. The initial assessment is the longest and most complex portion of the process and can take up to several hours. In this assessment, the clinician will ask you a series specific questions about your behavior in the present and in the past. 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 criteria for ADHD as defined in the Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD You will need to show that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two different settings in your daily life. This could be at home, at work or in your social life. Examples of impairment would include difficulty finding a job, incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship or getting into financial difficulties due to reckless spending. Depending on the situation Your doctor may also conduct some psychological or neuropsychological tests. These tests do not 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 comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. Before or during the assessment, your GP will need to conduct a physical examination and take a medical history. This will help them rule out any other medical issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, for example, thyroid or seizure disorders. They will also need to know any previous medical or psychiatric diagnoses you have had, as some of these can look a lot like ADHD and may be wrongly diagnosed. During the Evaluation An interview with a mental healthcare professional may include questionnaires that the patient has to fill out. It could also involve an interview with the family member or significant other. This is a good idea in that the person might not realize that their symptoms cause problems for others. It can also be used to identify any co-occurring mental health conditions which need to receive treatment. Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a bit daunting for adults, especially when they're older and have many things to do. A diagnosis can change your life dramatically. A diagnosis can help you understand that the lack of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are not due to a personal failing or due to lack of effort, but there is an underlying neurological issue that causes them. Your child or you will have to exhibit symptoms in at least two different environments (home school, at home, and at work) that cause major impairment. These symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood and cannot be explained by any other disorder. As part of the evaluation process A physical exam is typically recommended. Certain medical conditions (such seizure disorders and thyroid problems) disorders) may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. The physical exam allows the evaluator to rule out any other conditions that could be causing the symptoms. The evaluator will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and the symptoms they're experiencing. They'll also discuss the patient's present circumstances and evaluate the impact of the symptoms on their daily life. It is usually beneficial for the evaluator to ensure that they talk to people who know the patient, such as family members or coworkers. The evaluator will apply the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to establish an assessment. They will ask them to explain in detail the symptoms they experience and how they affect the individual's performance. They will also consider whether there are any comorbid mental health issues that require treatment, like depression or anxiety. Follow-up Once an ADHD assessment has been completed the treatment plan will be developed. This will often include medication and psychotherapy. It is important to note that it may take time to find the correct medication dosage and to see results of therapy. So, the most important thing you can do during treatment is stick to it! It is essential to be honest and open with your psychiatrist during one-on-one sessions. This will help ensure that you receive the best care possible. Before you meet with your psychiatrist Before meeting with the psychiatrist, you will be asked to fill out an array of pre-screening questions. These can be found on your portal's dashboard. They must be completed prior to your appointment. This will reduce the time needed for your consultation and to make sure that your evaluator is able to meet with you as soon as possible. At the initial in-person session, the evaluator will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. This could include screening for vision or hearing, depending on the patient. This is done to rule out medical causes of the symptoms. The next step is a thorough interview that can last from one to three hour. conversational tone will be able to discuss their symptoms with the evaluator in depth and explain how the symptoms impact their daily functioning. The evaluator could inquire questions on a variety of subjects such as relationships, work and school, sleep patterns and eating habits. The evaluator may also wish to speak with people who are close to the patient, for example their spouses, parents, siblings teachers, coaches, or daycare providers. This information is not accessible from self-reporting questionnaires. It assists the evaluator determine the presence of ADHD and determine the degree to which it affects functioning. The evaluator will then conduct an examination that will look at various areas that are related to the disorder, including restlessness, inattention, and impulse control. The evaluator may also ask about the symptoms in different situations and under different stressors. ADHD can manifest differently in different situations. After the Evaluation Your doctor will take notes as you describe your symptoms and respond to questions. The assessment can take up to three hours and may include multiple meetings or questionnaires. You may be asked to provide certain medical information, such as the family history of health issues and the current medications you are taking. This will assist the evaluator determine if your symptoms could be caused by something else. You may be asked to fill in ADHD ratings scales or behavioral questionnaires. The evaluator may also perform a physical examination and examine your medical history. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders. The evaluation will also speak to people who know you well, such as teachers and coworkers. These interviews will enable the evaluator better understanding of how your symptoms affect your work or school. It is important to be open about your symptoms and how they impact the people around you as well as you. The evaluator then will prepare an elaborate report for you to read. They will then discuss their findings and outline a possible diagnosis. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss ongoing support and treatment with you. If they don't find that you have ADHD they will talk about other mental health issues and suggest ways to assist. It can be a challenging procedure to undergo an ADHD assessment, particularly if you are an adult. It can be especially difficult when you've been denied a previous diagnosis because doctors have preconceived assumptions regarding what ADHD appears and sounds like. It is never too late for an ADHD assessment. If you have struggled for a long time the diagnosis could give you the confidence and knowledge you need to seek treatment. It can also help improve relationships with your family members. You can learn more about the symptoms and signs of ADHD on our website. You can also download a support letter from ADHD UK to present to your GP.