How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD
Many adults who undergo an ADHD assessment might exaggerate their symptoms or even fake them. Numerous studies (Marshall and colleagues Citation2016; Suhr et al, Citation2008) show that around 27% of adults under undertaking a comprehensive ADHD assessment have a false diagnosis.
Self-report ADHD behavior rating scales are adequate in sensitivity, however, they are not specific. A more robust approach is combining clinical interview information with neuropsychological testing or performance-based measures.
Diagnostic Criteria
If you think you might have ADHD, you should seek out professional assistance. 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, hyperactive/impulsive or combined). To obtain a diagnosis that is formal first, you need to make an appointment with an experienced health care provider. Your doctor will ask questions about your current issues and review your medical history. They might also ask about your symptoms when you were in your childhood, and later as an adult.
Psychologists and psychiatrists use guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine whether a person has ADHD. These clinical guidelines, called diagnostic criteria, are similar to a checklist of symptoms. The criteria demands that symptoms have been present for at minimum 6 months and cause significant impairments in at least two areas of daily functioning.
For adolescents and children, the symptoms must be present before age 12. Adults must have experienced the symptoms since their childhood. To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms cannot be better explained by another mental disorder (including mood disorders or anxiety disorders dissociative disorders, personality disorders).
During a confidential interview It is essential that those with suspected ADHD discuss their concerns openly and honestly. Based on the circumstances of the individual it could be required for him or her to disclose personal information about dangerous lifestyle habits to his or her evaluator. It's also beneficial to seek the opinions of those who know the person well including relatives and former teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches and employers.
The evaluator will use one of the many standard questionnaires to assess your symptoms. These rating scales, which are often referred to as narrow-band scales, focus on assessing the core ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. They are based on research that has shown that these specific symptoms are more than just "normal" behavior.
Clinical Interview
The clinical interview is an essential component of the ADHD battery. It assists the therapist in understanding the primary symptoms of adult ADHD and how they affect various life domains. It allows the therapist determine if other disorders are present that can mimic or even exacerbate ADHD, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
The therapist will review the patient's developmental, family, and medical history to determine how ADHD symptoms have affected their lives both in the past and in the present. The therapist will evaluate how the symptoms impact the patient's academic, social, or occupational functioning. They will also search for comorbidities that could cause the symptoms of the patient as many adults with ADHD have a high rate of comorbidity with both anxiety and depression (Friedrichs, Igl, Larsson, & Larsson Citation 2012).
Several studies have shown behavioral rating scales are not enough to identify ADHD. However they can be used to distinguish legitimate symptoms from those that are not. The accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved when you add cognitive tests to the behavioral ADHD rating scale battery.
It is essential that the therapist interview the client in a candid and open manner. Adults suffering from ADHD may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their condition, and therefore hide details during a clinical interview. This could seriously impact the accuracy of the test and lead to an under-estimation or false-negative.
The therapist should ask about the individual's experiences in various settings like school, home, and work. They should also inquire about the person's interpersonal relationships as well as their relationship with their spouse or partner. The therapist should sit down with the patient and their family members to discuss the effect that the symptoms of the person affect their lives. If this isn't possible the therapist can utilize a checklist of the person's symptoms.
Neuropsychological Tests
A health care provider performing a neuropsychological assessment may test your thinking and memory skills, as well as other aspects of cognitive functioning. These tests are often given with pencil and paper in the doctor's office but can also be conducted using a computer. linked web-site are also available, such as the repetition of lists or numbers. They can also measure your ability to understand written words and draw pictures. Other tests assess how quickly you can process information and how well you can recognize objects or people and how quickly you can tell whether two items are alike (visuospatial abilities).
The psychologist will review your medical history in order to determine if a condition or injury is causing you problems. They'll also inquire about your mood, mental health and any anxiety or depression you may have experienced. They might also ask other family members, friends, or coworkers to get more information about your personality and experiences.
A neuropsychologist will provide you with various tests, and will also examine your responses to these tests compared to other people who have taken the same tests. This is called normative comparison, and it's a critical aspect of the examination. It lets your doctor determine if you're performing better or worse than individuals who have taken the same test.
If your health care provider thinks you have a problem then the results of the neuropsychological tests can help them determine what to do about it. They can identify the normal changes in cognition that come with aging, and the actual decline in cognitive capacity that might be the result of an illness or disease such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
The results can be used to inform future treatments, like occupational therapy or speech therapy. Your provider can analyze the results to determine what skills are weak and what strengths can make up for those weak points, so that they can concentrate their efforts on improving the skills. They can be used to evaluate how well you react to a brand new non-invasive brain stimulation method or pharmacological treatment such as transcranial or deep brain magnet stimulation.
Family History
The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult for the person to manage. They can cause problems at work or in school, and strain relationships. The diagnosis of ADHD helps to receive help. The process of diagnosing ADHD may take time, but is well worth it. A qualified health care provider or doctor can determine whether a person is suffering from the disorder by analyzing information from a variety of sources. These include symptoms checklists as well as standardized scales of behavior as well as a detailed record of current and past functioning as well as information from family members or close friends who are familiar with the person.
You should find an expert doctor who is experienced in diagnosing and treating adults with ADHD. You can locate a specialist at your local mental health center or school. You can also get a referral from a person you are comfortable with.
Your family health history is crucial in diagnosing ADHD. The condition tends to run in families, and it's not uncommon for children of parents who suffer from the disorder to be diagnosed too. Your health care provider will be looking for information on whether any of your family members suffer from the disorder or have been treated for it.
A health professional might inquire about your family's lifestyle, diet and genetic background. They'll also want to know whether anyone has suffered from any serious illness. This will help them rule out other ailments, like anxiety or depression.
The criteria to diagnose ADHD requires that the signs of the disorder cause significant impairment in at least two areas of the individual's life. The impairment could be the loss a job due to lack of attention or apathy. It could also mean problems with relationships, difficulties paying bills or keeping up with homework. It could also mean difficulty staying on task at work, spending impulsively or reckless driving.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms by using a combination medication or diet, therapy, and exercise. Without treatment, symptoms can remain a problem in the daily activities of an individual and cause issues for their family and personal lives. The good news is that treatment for ADHD can be highly effective in both children and adults.