ADHD Testing in Adults
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a crucial initial step in managing symptoms. Continue should include a thorough clinical interview, information from independent sources such as spouses and other family members and standardized behavioral ratings scales.
Healthcare professionals may also ask you to fill out an assessment of your childhood. This is because, to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must have started before age 12.
Diagnosis
For those suffering from ADHD being diagnosed is the first step towards being able to control the symptoms that can cause chaos at home and work. If you suspect that you or someone in your family suffers from undiagnosed ADHD you should consult a doctor with experience treating adults. You might also consider an expert therapist in adult ADHD or a life coach.
The clinician will review your medical and psychiatric history including a detailed listing of the ADHD symptoms you've had for a period of six months or more. The doctor will conduct a clinical evaluation and ask you questions about your life. Many adults are hesitant to admit they have ADHD because of the stigma that surrounds it. Being diagnosed can help you gain acceptance and a sense of relief.
Your doctor might use behavior rating scales to measure your symptoms. These tests are intended to identify common behaviors among people with ADHD. These questionnaires can be extremely useful to the examiner but they cannot definitively tell you if you have ADHD. You might be asked to fill out a checklist of your behavior prior to or during your appointment.
A physical exam is often part of the assessment. The evaluator will be looking for medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizures which may be similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
If the examiner suspects you have coexisting conditions like anxiety or depression the evaluator will perform psychological and neuropsychological tests. These tests will help the evaluator identify the areas that require intervention.
You could be eligible to participate in clinical studies in the event that your insurance plan permits it. These are research studies that investigate new treatments for diseases and disorders. Request your doctor to refer you to a health professional who is a specialist in ADHD tests for adults or look up the online directory of your insurance plan. Local support groups might be able to recommend qualified professionals in your locality. Some medical and mental health facilities provide free or inexpensive ADHD tests for adults. The NIMH offers a list by current state of clinical trials.
Treatment
A correct diagnosis is the first step towards gaining control of symptoms that are affecting your daily. While different doctors use different test methods and materials, a majority of them use standardized scales of rating to determine whether you or your child fits the ADHD criteria. This includes a clinical assessment, data from your child's spouse or parent, and behavioral or cognitive testing.
To determine whether you have the symptoms of ADHD A mental health professional will inquire about your past experiences with problems at work and school, your current functioning level and how long your symptoms have been evident. The examiner will want to determine if your symptoms impact your personal, family or social relationships. They may also ask for complete medical and health history going back to childhood, as as for driving records, alcohol or drug abuse history as well as information on your sleep and diet habits.
A doctor will also conduct a neurological or physical exam. They will be looking to rule out other conditions that can mimic ADHD such as epilepsy or brain tumors. They will also be looking for other factors that can affect a person's ability to function, such as the presence of comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
Your evaluator may also administer behavioral tests such as the Barkley Adult ADHD Scales (BAARS) to compare your symptoms to those of other adults of your age. You may also be given a continuous performance assessment to determine how quickly you react to stimuli. They will also check you for signs such as hyperthyroidism.
Your evaluator will go over the options for treatment with you, which could include medication or a combination of medication and therapy. In certain instances your therapist may suggest group-based ADHD support groups or classes for education. In some instances, your therapist may recommend that you consult with a psychiatrist or neurologist, based on the nature of your symptoms and your needs. You should disclose any other medications that you are taking since certain medications may interact with ADHD medications. You can find a reputable healthcare provider by asking your primary care physician for a referral, contacting a local university-based hospital or locating a doctor through your insurance plan's online directory.
Counseling
If a person suspects that they have ADHD, their first step should be to talk to their health care provider. This person will refer the patient to a mental health professional who will conduct an extensive examination of the patient. This evaluation will include an interview with the patient as well an examination of their personal and familial medical history. Additionally, the healthcare professional may examine medical and psychiatric records to look for other conditions that could be a symptom of ADHD, such as thyroid issues, depression or seizure disorders.
A complete assessment will also contain one or more standard behavior rating scales. These forms are founded on research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not. The healthcare professional will ask the patient and his or her significant other to fill out these forms as part of the assessment process.
It is essential to be completely truthful when answering these questions, particularly because many adults are hesitant to admit that they suffer from ADHD symptoms. People with ADHD often create strategies to hide their symptoms. This may result in them not being diagnosed because other disorders, such as depression or anxiety, can cause similar symptoms.
The evaluator will also search for impairment in two key settings, such as school or at work, as a result of the ADHD symptoms. The impairment is crucial, because it indicates that the symptoms cause the patient to have noticeable difficulties. To be able to make diagnosis, the examiner must confirm that the symptoms started in childhood, typically prior to the age of 12.
In addition to reviewing the patient's development, health family, lifestyle, and history, the evaluator will interview the patient as well as his or her significant other. The evaluator might also want to speak with people who are important in the lives of the patient, such as coaches or teachers. These interviews can provide information about the patient's symptoms that are not visible on the checklists that are used for the assessment.
Some people suffering from ADHD are required to participate in clinical trials. These are research studies that test new ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions. These trials are important because they assist doctors and researchers learn more about these conditions. It is essential that those with ADHD be aware of the risks involved in taking part in a study and discuss them with their doctor prior to deciding to take part.
Medication
Even mild symptoms can make it difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD in a mature age. It is possible to minimize and control these symptoms through medications and other treatments. A comprehensive evaluation is the first step.
For an accurate diagnosis, it is important to understand how ADHD symptoms impact the life of a person in many different environments. This includes academic performance and home and work obligations as also interpersonal relationships. A mental health professional will ask questions about these issues, and may also interview relatives, friends or coworkers. The examiner can also employ regular ADHD symptom checklists, and psychological tests such as continuous tests of performance and working memory tests and spatial and visual reasoning tasks (related to space).
It's helpful to bring along any documentation like old test scores or report cards, as well as performance evaluations from school to help to explain your struggles. It is also recommended to talk about any medical issues you suffer from or that are prevalent through your family, as certain conditions issues, like thyroid problems and seizure disorders, may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
The examiner might request the contact details of family members, close friends or partners to gather more details about an individual's past. The examiner will also look over the individual's medical and social history and look for any psychiatric disorders that exist or were present in the past.
A physical exam is vital to rule out certain conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems. It is also beneficial to determine if someone has been taking any drugs or supplements that could affect a medication for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with a combination of stimulants and psychotherapy. Some of these drugs work on the norepinephrine and dopamine receptors in the brain, which reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increasing concentration. Others are designed to help with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive challenges, such as anxiety relief, mood stabilization and improving interpersonal performance. Your Mercy doctor will help you determine which medication is best for you.