How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD
Many adults who undergo an ADHD assessment might exaggerate their symptoms or even fake them. According to various studies (Marshall et. al. Citation2016 Suhr, et. al. Citation2008) around 27% of adults who undergo an extensive ADHD evaluation show no signs of the disorder.
Self-report ADHD behavior rating scales are sensitive but low specificity. Combining information from clinical interviews with neuropsychological tests and/or performance based measures is a more solid approach.
Diagnostic Criteria
If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD, you should seek out professional help. 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). The first step in getting an official diagnosis is to schedule an appointment with a trained health professional who will conduct an assessment. The doctor will ask you questions about your current issues and will review your medical background. He or she will also inquire about your symptoms when you were a child as well as as an adult.
Psychiatrists and psychology employ guidelines issued by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), in determining if someone suffers from ADHD. These guidelines for clinical practice are known as diagnostic criteria and are similar to an inventory of symptoms. The criteria demands that symptoms have been present for at minimum 6 months and cause significant impairments in at least 2 areas of daily functioning.
For children and adolescents the symptoms must be present before 12 years of age. Adults must have experienced symptoms since their childhood. The symptoms of ADHD in adults cannot be explained by any other mental disorder, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or dissociative disorders.
It is crucial for those with suspected ADHD to discuss their concerns honestly and openly during a confidential conversation with the evaluation. Based on the circumstances of the individual it might be necessary for him or her to provide personal information regarding dangerous lifestyle habits to his or her assessor. Requesting opinions from those who know the person well can be beneficial. This includes relatives and former teachers or religious leaders as well as scouts, coaches and employers.
The evaluator utilizes one of the many standard questionnaires to rate 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 showing that these particular symptoms are more than "normal" behavior.
Clinical Interview
The clinical interview is a crucial part of the ADHD assessment battery. It helps the therapist understand the primary symptoms of adult ADHD and how they affect various life domains. It also helps the therapist to determine if other disorders are present that mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, for example, depression and anxiety disorders.
The therapist will review the patient's developmental, family and medical background to determine how their ADHD symptoms have affected their lives in the past and in the present. They will then assess the extent to which the symptoms affect their academic or social occupational performance. They will also search for comorbid conditions that could explain the patient's symptomatology as many people with ADHD are susceptible to depression and anxiety disorders.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that behavioral rating scales alone do not provide enough information to accurately determine the presence of ADHD, although they do have good sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing valid symptom presentation from non-valid. The accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved by adding cognitive tests to the behavioral ADHD rating scale battery.
It is essential that the therapist interview the patient in an open and honest manner. It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to be embarrassed or ashamed of their problems, so they may hold back details during the interview. This could seriously compromise the accuracy of the assessment and could result in an inaccurate negative or underestimation of ADHD symptoms.
The therapist should talk to the person about their experiences in various settings, like at school, at home and at work. They should also inquire about the person about their interpersonal relationships, including 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 patient affect their lives. If this isn't possible the therapist could use a checklist for the person's symptoms.
Tests for neuropsychological testing
A doctor who is performing an assessment of neuropsychological functioning may test your memory and thinking abilities, as well as other aspects of cognitive functioning. These tests can be performed on a computer or with pencil and paper at the doctor's. They may include tests on memory, such as repeating the words or numbers. They may also test your ability to read and draw images. Other tests examine how quickly you can process information as well as how well you recognize objects or people and how fast you can determine if two things are alike (visuospatial abilities).
The psychologist will look at your medical history to see if any illness or injury might be the cause of the issues you're having. They'll also ask about your mood and mental health and any depression or anxiety you've experienced. They might interview other family members, friends, or coworkers to gather more details about your behavior and experiences.
A neuropsychologist will provide you with a number of different tests, and will also examine the results of those tests in relation to other people who have taken the identical tests. This is an important part of the assessment. It's called a normative comparision. This lets your doctor know whether you're doing better or worse than participants who have taken the same test.
If your health care professional believes you are suffering from a medical issue, the results from the neuropsychological tests will help them determine how to treat it. They can use the results to differentiate between normal cognitive changes that happen as we age and the actual cognitive decline that is caused by an illness such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
The results can be used to inform future treatments, for example, occupational or speech therapy. They can help your provider figure out what skills you're lacking and what strengths can help you overcome them and allow them to concentrate on enhancing those skills. They can be used to determine how well you respond to a brand new non-invasive brain stimulation technique 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 tension in relationships and cause issues at school or at work. The diagnosis of ADHD makes it easier to seek assistance. The process of diagnosis may take a while, but is well worth it. A qualified health care specialist or physician can determine whether someone is suffering from the disorder by gathering information from a variety of sources. These include symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and current functioning, and information from family members or close friends who are familiar with the individual.
You should find a doctor who has experience in diagnosing and treating adult ADHD. You can find a specialist at the local mental health center or school. You can also request an appointment from someone you trust.
Your family health history can be important for diagnosing ADHD. It's not uncommon for children of parents who have the disorder to be diagnosed. Your health care provider will want to know if any family members have the disorder or have had treatment for it.
A health care professional may ask about your family's diet, lifestyle and genetic history. They may also want to know about any serious illnesses that have been reported by family members. adhd diagnostic assessment will help them rule out other ailments, like depression or anxiety.
The standard to determine ADHD is that the symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of a person's existence. Impairment can be the loss of employment due to inattention or forgetfulness or difficulty completing homework or paying bills, or problems in relationships. It can also be a challenge to stay on track, having excessive behavior, or spending time working hours.
Some people with ADHD are able to manage their symptoms by using the combination of medication, diet, therapy and exercise. If they don't receive treatment, symptoms may persist to disrupt a person's day-to-day functions and create problems for their families and personal lives. The good news is, ADHD treatment is highly efficient for both children and adults.