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ADHD Testing For Adults Many people seeking an ADHD assessment are referred by specialists who specialize in treating adults ADHD These professionals could be licensed psychologists or therapists Contrary to some online ADHD rating scales an assessment by an experienced professional can yield tangible results An evaluation typically includes a clinical interview with the patient as well as one or more people who know him or her well 1 History of Symptoms During the evaluation an expert in health care might ask you to describe symptoms that are affecting your daily routine For instance you could have trouble keeping up with work or school frequently lose items or have trouble focusing in class or get distracted by events around you You should also discuss how these issues impact your family and your relationships ADHD can cause problems in friendships marriages and romantic relationships The provider will perform an examination to determine if you have medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar ADHD He or she will review your medical psychiatric and overall health history Additionally the doctor will want to know your family history since ADHD can be a family trait To be diagnosed with ADHD Children and teens must show several symptoms of the disorder in at least two different settings such as at home and in school For adults at minimum five of the six criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM5 must be met and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause impairment in functioning in several areas of their lives The symptoms must not be caused by other conditions such as mood disorders or anxiety People who do not have ADHD are often misdiagnosed for a variety of reasons including ignorance of childhood onset and conscious exaggeration symptoms Many adults with ADHD are seeking diagnoses due to the need for access to disability or medication To avoid these mistakes it is crucial to have a wellvalidated screen for ADHD in adults It is also essential to include a test that detects false answers 2 Medical History There is no one test that can be used to diagnose ADHD Some doctors use different methods of screening adults Most experts believe that a thorough clinical exam is the first stage in any successful ADHD screening This involves asking about medical or psychiatric history and family history prior to childhood The interview also looks at the persons symptoms and how they impact daily functioning Some clinicians utilize an interview in addition to standard behavior ratings scales and questionnaires They can also employ tests that test the neuropsychological process or other psychometric tests like spatial and visual working memory reasoning thinking and various psychometric tests Certain medical conditions like seizures and thyroid problems may cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD The doctor might conduct a complete physical exam to rule out the possibility of these conditions A psychiatrist will look for any other mental health conditions which could be the cause of the patients symptoms such as depression or anxiety A psychiatrist or psychologist may seek permission to speak with teachers babysitters coaches or other individuals who spent time with a child or teen This can give an overall picture of the childs life and behavior and can assist in determining the presence of other disorders that may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms For adults a psychologist or psychiatrist will typically ask the person about their personal and family background particularly when it comes to the presence of ADHD symptoms in childhood The doctor will ask whether any family members have been diagnosed with ADHD They will also interview the individual about their home work and social life This can provide insight into how the individual is coping with stressors as well as other issues such as relationship problems or substance abuse 3 Family History People suffering from ADHD typically have an history of the disorder in their families It is highly inheritable so if you or your parents are diagnosed with ADHD its likely that youll also be Youll be asked a lot of questions regarding your childhood including any symptoms that may have occurred Its vital that healthcare professionals are aware of any struggles that children have because this is the time when the disorder is most likely to develop You may even be asked about any methods of masking you may have learned through the years as certain people learn to conceal their symptoms over time The process of evaluation can differ but usually includes an individual interview that lasts up to three hours visit this hyperlink will ask predetermined standardized questions to increase the reliability of the evaluation and decrease the possibility that different interviewers will arrive at a different set of conclusions For instance the interviewer might inquire about the number of symptoms of the disorder have you experienced in your life over the past six months It is also common to utilize rating scales during an extensive ADHD screening They are based on research that compares behaviors of people with and without ADHD These tests are not diagnostic but theyre an important part of a complete assessment The doctor might also interview other people such as your spouse or family members or teachers or coaches that worked with you in childhood This will help the doctor gain a fuller picture of your symptoms and decide whether they could be caused by a mental health condition 4 Personal Insights One of the most important aspects of a comprehensive ADHD evaluation is the clinicians interview They conduct a structured and standard interview posing questions that seek to gather all relevant information This approach increases credibility and reduces the chance that different evaluators would reach different conclusions about the same individual The evaluator wants to know everything about your ADHD symptoms in the past and now as well as from your childhood They will ask you about how your symptoms impact your life and relationships You will be asked to rate the frequency of your symptoms ranging from never to very frequently This is known as the Symptom Rating Scale ASRS and is available as an online version that you can use using your tablet or computer In addition to filling out the standard ADHD questionnaire your healthcare professional will likely use other assessments of your behavior during your appointment The evaluator may employ a checklist behavior scale for ADHD or other psychometric tests They will also check for other conditions like mood disorders or learning disabilities that can look similar to ADHD or coexist with it They might also talk to other people such as relatives or friends to get an understanding of the persons functioning They may also conduct an examination and review medical records to rule out any conditions that may coexist alongside ADHD related issues like thyroid disorders or seizures They might even use the test of brain waves to determine the brain activity associated with ADHD This is a noninvasive test that involves putting sensors on your scalp to record electrical activity 5 Tests There is no single test to diagnose ADHD Instead health care professionals use a combination physical exams behavioral tests and questionnaires Adult ADHD evaluations can be performed by psychiatrists as well as psychologists neurologist and psychotherapists They can also suggest support groups for adults suffering from ADHD In the majority of cases a first step to an ADHD assessment is to discuss symptoms with a healthcare professional Its important to share complete information including whether a person is on any medications or has any previous medical issues Bring any notes or journals that describe the issues of the patient A mental health professional may inquire about a persons background their family history the environment as well as their work or school performance as well as their behavior Patients are often asked to fill out questionnaires and checklists They may also interview family members friends and colleagues who have witnessed the person act an a specific way Its not uncommon for doctors to ask teachers or childcare workers for their opinions Certain doctors utilize computer tests referred to as continuous performance tests to screen for ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity The patient is placed in front of the computer which shows various visual targets The test measures a patients ability for focus and to complete tasks However it is controversial in certain circles Some experts believe these tests arent useful and expose patients to excessive levels of ionizing radiation Certain doctors employ brain scans to detect indications of ADHD These tests reveal changes in the activity levels of the frontal lobes of the brain However these results are not yet widely accepted and havent been shown to improve the accuracy of a patients diagnosis