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https://chen-holden.hubstack.net/why-all-the-fuss-about-online-assessment-for-adhd

How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD Many adults undergoing an assessment for ADHD could be exaggerating falsely or even fabricate symptoms Several studies Marshall and colleagues Citation2016 Suhr et al Citation2008 indicate that about 27 of adults under undertaking a comprehensive ADHD assessment fail to recognize a valid symptom presentation Selfreport ADHD behaviour rating scales are sufficient in sensitivity however they are not specific Combining clinical interview data with neuropsychological tests andor measures based on performance is a more solid approach Diagnostic Criteria If youre worried you may be suffering from ADHD its important to get a professional evaluation An accurate diagnosis can help you decide what treatment options are available and determine whether your symptoms meet criteria for a specific subtype of ADHD inattentive hyperactiveimpulsive or combined The first step to get a formal diagnosis is to make an appointment with a trained healthcare professional who can perform an assessment The doctor will go over your medical history and ask you about your current health issues The doctor may also ask about your symptoms when you were a child and then as an adult Psychologists and psychiatrists follow the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM5 to determine if someone has ADHD These clinical guidelines called diagnostic criteria are like an inventory of symptoms The criteria requires that symptoms have been present for at least six months and cause significant impairments in at least two areas of daily living For adolescents and children the symptoms must be present prior to age 12 Adults must have had the symptoms since the age of a child The symptoms of ADHD in adults must not be explained by any other mental disorder including anxiety disorders mood disorders or dissociative disorders In a confidential interview its important that people who are suspected of having ADHD discuss their concerns openly and honestly Depending on a persons situation it may be necessary to disclose personal information to the evaluator regarding dangerous lifestyle habits Asking for opinions from others who know the person well is also helpful This includes relatives former teachers or religious leaders scouts coaches and employers The examiner will use one of the many standard questionnaires to assess your symptoms These rating scales which are often referred to as narrowband scales focus on assessing the core ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivityimpulsivity These scales are based on research which show that these symptoms are not normal behaviors Clinical Interview The clinical interview is a vital element of the ADHD assessment battery It aids the therapist to understand the main symptoms of adult ADHD and how they impact various life domains It also helps the therapist identify if other disorders are present that can mimic or even exacerbate ADHD such as anxiety and depression disorders The therapist will look over the patients medical developmental and family history to determine the effects of ADHD symptoms on their lives in the past and present They will then determine the extent to which symptoms interfere with their academic and social or occupational functioning They will also look for comorbid conditions that might be the cause of the patients symptoms since many adults with ADHD have a high rate of comorbidity with both anxiety and depression Friedrichs Igl Larsson Larsson Citation2012 Several studies have shown the use of behavioral rating scales is not enough to identify ADHD However they can be used to identify valid symptoms from invalid ones The accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved when you add cognitive tests to the behavioral ADHD rating scale battery It is crucial that the therapist conducts the interview with the individual in an open and honest manner It is not unusual for adults suffering from ADHD to be embarrassed or ashamed of their problems so they may hide their problems during the clinical interview This could seriously impact the accuracy of the assessment and result in an underestimation or false negative The therapist should ask the individual about their experiences in different environments such as at home at school and at work They should also inquire with the individual about their personal relationships such as their relationship with their spouse or partner The clinician should interview the patient as well as their family members to discuss the impact the symptoms of the individual affect their lives If this is not possible the therapist must utilize a checklist to record the symptoms of the individual Neuropsychological tests A medical professional who does a neuropsychological evaluation could test your memory thinking skills and other aspects of your cognitive performance These tests are usually administered with a pencil and paper at the doctors office but can also be conducted using a computer Memory tests can be included in the form of repetition of lists or numbers They can also test your ability to draw and read Other tests measure how quickly you process information your ability to recognize objects or people and how quickly you determine if two things are similar visuospatial ability The psychologist will review your medical history in order to determine if a condition or injury is causing you problems They will also ask you about your mood past mental health and any depression or anxiety that you may have experienced They may also ask family members coworkers or friends to learn more about your personality A neuropsychologist will offer you several tests and examine the results of those tests in relation to other people who have taken the same tests This is an important element of the examination Its known as a normative comparision It allows your doctor to determine if youre doing better or worse than other participants who took the same test The results of the neuropsychological test will aid your doctor in deciding what to do if you are suffering from a mental disorder They can use the results to distinguish between normal cognitive changes that occur with age and real cognitive decline caused by an illness like Parkinsons disease or Alzheimers The results can be used to help guide future treatments like speech or occupational therapy Your provider can use the results to determine which skills are weak and what strengths could compensate for those weak points so that they can focus their efforts to improve the abilities They are also useful in assessing how well youre responding to a new pharmacological treatment or noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation or deep brain stimulation Family History The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult for the person to control They can cause problems at school or at work and can cause tension in relationships Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can make it easier to get assistance The diagnostic process may take a while however it is worth it A licensed health professional or physician can assess if someone has the disorder by analyzing information from a variety of sources online adhd assessment uk include symptoms checklists as well as standardized scales of behavior and a detailed account of the persons past and present functioning as well as information from family members or significant others who are familiar with the person You should seek out a doctor with experience in diagnosing and treating adults with ADHD You can look for an expert at a local mental health center your school or your primary care physician You can also seek a referral from a trusted person The health history of your family members can be crucial for diagnosing ADHD The condition tends to run through families and its common for children of parents who suffer from the disorder to be diagnosed as well Your doctor will inquire if you have any family members who have the disorder or if theyve been treated A health care specialist will inquire about your lifestyle diet and the genetic history of your family They may also inquire about any serious illnesses that have been reported by family members This will aid in ruling other illnesses out such as depression or anxiety The criteria for diagnosing ADHD is that the symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of ones life The impairment could be the loss of a job due to lack of attention or forgetfulness It could also be difficulties in relationships difficulty paying bills or keeping up with homework It can also be difficulty keeping on track at work impulsive spending or risky behavior while driving Some people with ADHD are able to manage their symptoms by using a combination medication or diet therapy and exercise If not treated the symptoms could remain a problem in the daily activities of an individual and cause issues for their family and their personal lives The good news is that treatment for ADHD can be highly effective for both children and adults