Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
In the majority of cases, a complete ADHD diagnosis is expected to take at least two hours. This will usually involve an interview that is semistructured, psychoeducation (in easily understood language) and discussion on the impact of core symptoms in employment or education and also in social/family life.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms include issues with attention, organization, and emotional control. These issues can affect various aspects of life, such as work or school as well as relationships with family or friends. 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 also must cause significant impairments in two or more situations in everyday life.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of adults with ADHD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A trained psychiatrist or psychologist will ask the patient to give a detailed history of symptoms, including their time of onset and duration. Full File will also ask about problems that these symptoms may have caused in their school, work and social life.
In addition to assessing core ADHD symptoms it is important to check for any other mental health issues that often co-occur with ADHD or that mimic the symptoms (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorder). In particular, the assessment should include questions regarding the person's mood, their medical history, and previous medication use.
A person may also be screened to determine if they have any physical or somatic conditions that may be similar to ADHD. These could include sleep disturbances, headaches, and digestive problems. These conditions are typically discovered to be co-morbid.
It is important to ensure that the symptoms of ADHD cannot be explained by other causes, such as a mood or medical disorder or addiction to drugs. A thorough evaluation is essential because undiagnosed ADHD can lead to problems, such as chronic stress and low self-esteem for adults, particularly if they are repeatedly being told to do better or that their mistakes are their own fault.
Some adults with ADHD struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis, due to the fact that their symptoms are not properly understood and/or under-reported. This is particularly true in workplaces and schools that do not provide accommodations for those with ADHD. In these cases individuals can experience a variety of feelings from sadness to relief over missed opportunities, when they finally get a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you might have ADHD or other disorders, you should seek out a professional diagnosis. A good practitioner will be willing to share their experience and training in working with adults with ADHD. Reluctance in this regard should be considered suspicious and may be an indicator that you should consider hiring a different professional.
The assessment will comprise a detailed interview which will examine your development background, medical history, the psychiatric background, your current functioning, and risk assessment. It will also inquire about your symptoms and their impact on you. In addition, the clinician will investigate possible complications (e.g. A co-existing learning disability or psychiatric condition will be explored. The clinician will also examine your interpersonal, social, and work functioning.
An important part of the assessment is to assess the extent to which ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. This will include work, school, leisure and family/close relationships and the effects on your self-image. Ideally, the assessment will be carried out by more than one person in order to allow for an accurate and detailed account of your day-to-day functioning. It isn't always feasible to have multiple informants participate in assessments. Therefore the written report of one or more informants can be extremely beneficial.
It is crucial to determine if your symptoms are in line with the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This will include an assessment of the way you're dealing with your symptoms as they impact your life. It will also consider whether you have had these symptoms since the age of a child and, if so for how long. The examination will also consider how your symptoms affect your daily activities and your ability to meet your goals and aspirations.
If you suffer from ADHD could mean that you have difficulty in managing your time and prioritising your tasks. You can lose things easily and you tend to blurt out thoughts that aren't thought-provoking, without considering the consequences. This can cause frustration, because appointments are missed, and tasks are left unfinished. Your time and attention will be occupied by things that aren't important.
Treatment
If symptoms of ADHD are causing problems at school or work it might be worth asking your physician for an assessment. They will be able to offer guidance on how to manage the symptoms. If necessary, they can refer you to a specialist. Your provider will explain to you the potential risks and benefits of participating in a clinical study. These trials help researchers discover new methods of diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases.
The diagnosis of adult ADHD is more complex than that of children and the symptom checklists used in diagnosing children are largely invalid for adults. A valid diagnosis is made through a careful clinical interview conducted by a skilled clinician who takes his or her time with the assessment.
The doctor will ask you and someone you are familiar with (a spouse or parent for instance) about your issues and the impact they have had on your life. Doctors may also use standardized ADHD rating scales to evaluate your behavior with that of people who do not have the disorder. The doctor might also give you a physical examination as well as an examination for neurological disorders, including tests for balance and motor coordination.
Based on your requirements, other psychological or neuropsychological testing could be performed in addition. These tests can reveal any co-existing conditions that could be causing your ADHD symptoms. They can also help you understand how ADHD affects your academic performance and your relationships.
Sleep disorders are usually connected to ADHD. A sound night's sleep can assist to reduce the symptoms. Your doctor is likely to suggest a sleep and wake-up time to ensure that you get enough sleep to perform. They might also suggest that you avoid nicotine, caffeine and sugary food, which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Clinical trials can be beneficial to adults with ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that examine the effectiveness of treatments on patients or healthy volunteers. They are conducted at NIMH and at other sites. A clinical trial seeks to find more efficient and effective ways to identify, treat or prevent illnesses.
Prevention
If you have an history of ADHD as when you were a child, your symptoms are likely to be present throughout adulthood. The symptoms can affect school, work and relationships. Adults diagnosed with ADHD are able to benefit from treatment options, such as psychotherapy and medication. It is important to locate a medical professional who can conduct an evaluation for ADHD in adults. Ask your doctor for a recommendation or call your insurance provider for assistance. You could also seek a referral from a local ADHD support group.
In an ADHD evaluation, the health professional will ask you questions and gather information about your family, friends, and colleagues. The professional will likely employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you meet the requirements for an assessment of ADHD. The doctor may also conduct psychometric tests to assess your working memory, executive function capabilities (abilities such as planning and decision-making) and visual and spatial thinking abilities.
The person who conducts the test will examine your symptoms to determine the severity and impact on your life. They will use open-ended questions and real-world examples to help you explain your symptoms. You should be able give examples of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It is also important to talk about any comorbid conditions that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms, like anxiety, depression and substance use disorders.
Many people with ADHD have a hard time recalling their childhood habits and, therefore, the health care professional or mental health specialist is likely to interview someone who is familiar with you like a close friend, partner, parent or other family member. They might request your parents to fill out a retrospective ADHD Profile of your childhood habits.
Some adults with ADHD work in large organizations and may not want to inform their coworkers or managers about their condition. However, it's usually best to be honest with your professor or employer. They might be willing to make accommodations within your work environment or allow you extra time to complete assignments. You might also think about participating 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 trials with volunteers.