These are discussed in more detail below. The single most important part of a comprehensive ADHD evaluation is a structured or semi-structured interview, which provides a detailed history of the individual.
The interviewer asks a pre-determined, standardized set of questions in order to increase reliability and decrease the chances that a different interviewer would come up with different conclusions. The clinician covers a broad range of topics, discusses relevant issues in detail and asks follow-up questions to ensure that all areas of interest are covered.
The examiner will review the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and determine how many of them apply to the individual, both at the present time and since childhood. The diagnostic interview: screening for other psychiatric disorders. The examiner will also conduct a detailed review to see if other psychiatric disorders that may resemble ADHD or commonly co-exist with ADHD are present.
ADHD rarely occurs alone, and research has shown that more than two-thirds of people with ADHD have one or more co-existing conditions. The most common include depression, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities and substance use disorders. A comprehensive evaluation includes screening for co-existing conditions. When one or more co-existing conditions are present along with ADHD, it is essential that all are diagnosed and treated.
Failure to treat co-existing conditions often leads to failure in treating the ADHD. And, crucially, when the ADHD symptoms are a secondary consequence of depression, anxiety or some other psychiatric disorder, failure to detect this can result in incorrect treatment of the individual for ADHD. It is also essential for the clinician to interview one or more independent sources, usually a significant other spouse, family member, parent or partner who knows the person well.
Many adults with ADHD have a spotty or poor memory of their past, particularly from childhood. They may recall specific details but forget diagnoses they were given or problems they encountered. Thus, the clinician may request that the individual being evaluated have his or her parents fill out a retrospective ADHD profile describing childhood behavior. This procedure helps the non-ADHD spouse or partner develop an accurate understanding and an empathetic attitude concerning the impact of ADHD symptoms on the relationship, setting the stage for improving the relationship after the diagnostic process has been completed.
If it is not possible to interview the loved ones, having them fill out checklists of symptoms is a good alternative. Many adults with ADHD may feel deeply frustrated and embarrassed by the ongoing problems caused by the disorder.
It is very important that the person being evaluated discuss these problems openly and honestly and not hold back information due to feelings of shame or fear of criticism. The quality of the evaluation and the accuracy of the diagnosis and treatment recommendations will be largely determined by the accuracy of the information provided to the examiner.
A comprehensive evaluation can include one or more standardized behavior rating scales. Scores on the rating scales are not considered diagnostic by themselves but serve as an important source of objective information in the evaluation process. Depending on the individual and the problems being addressed, additional psychological, neuropsychological or learning disabilities testing may be used as needed. The testing can also help determine the presence and effects of co-existing conditions.
For example, in order to determine whether the individual has a learning disability, the clinician will usually give a test of intellectual ability as well as a test of academic achievement. If the individual being evaluated has not had a recent physical exam within 6—12 months , a medical examination is recommended to rule out medical causes for symptoms.
Some medical conditions, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders, can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD symptoms. A medical examination does not confirm ADHD but is extremely important in helping to rule out other conditions or problems.
Do your homework. Find out the professional certification and academic degrees of the specialists you are looking into. If possible, talk to former patients and clients, and find out what their experience was.
Feel at ease. Feeling comfortable with the specialist is an important part of choosing the right person to evaluate you. Try to be yourself, ask questions, and be honest with the professional.
You may need to speak with a few specialists before finding the person who is best for you. Check price and insurance. Find out how much the specialist will charge and if your health insurance will cover part or all of the ADHD evaluation.
Some insurance policies cover evaluation for ADHD from one kind of specialist, but not from another. Many people only learn that they have ADHD when they become adults.
Some find out after their children receive the diagnosis. As they become educated about the condition, they also realize that they have it. For others, the symptoms finally outpace their coping skills, causing significant enough problems in their daily life that they seek help.
If you recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD in yourself, schedule a visit with a mental health professional for an assessment.
Once you make that initial appointment, feeling somewhat nervous about it is normal. Many professionals will start by asking you to fill out and return questionnaires before an evaluation. To determine if you have ADHD, you can expect the specialist conducting the evaluation to do any or all of the following:. If you have significant problems with any of the following categories, you may want to get evaluated for ADHD:. Together with specialists trained in diagnosing ADHD, you can help bring about a swift and accurate assessment that leads to treatment.
As a parent in this process, your roles are both emotional and practical. You can:. Usually, more than one professional assesses a child for ADHD symptoms. Physicians, clinical and school psychologists, clinical social workers, speech-language pathologists, learning specialists, and educators may each play an important role in the ADHD evaluation.
As with adults, there are no laboratory or imaging tests available to make a diagnosis; instead, clinicians base their conclusions on the observable symptoms and by ruling out other disorders.
They may also:. Doctors, specialists, ADHD tests—it may all feel a little overwhelming to pursue a diagnosis for your child. You can take a lot of the chaos out of the process with the following practical steps. For example, symptoms of ADHD in children might look and feel different than in adults.
Your symptoms will also depend on the type of ADHD you have. The major symptoms of ADHD include inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity. This brief test will help determine if you may need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
Only a mental health professional or psychiatrist can accurately diagnose ADHD, and if needed, recommend a treatment plan. This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.
If you believe you might have ADHD or another condition after taking this test, consider reaching out to a qualified professional about your symptoms.
ADDA provides accurate and science-based education on treatment alternatives such as CBT, ADHD coaching, and medication, and as scientific research has proven the benefits of additional treatments, ADDA has also expanded its education efforts to include strategies such as mindfulness practice, exercise, diet and therapy. The ASRS is comprised of 6 questions that are ranked on a scale of 0 to 4. If you have at least 4 of these 6 symptoms significantly, you may have ADHD and should seek out a formal diagnosis.
When you complete this Adult ADHD questionnaire, if the results seem to indicate you might have ADHD that is, four or more of your answers in Part A are located in the grey boxes , then bring a copy of the questionnaire with you when you seek diagnosis to help with the diagnostic process.
This screening test is a symptoms checklist for adult ADHD and not a diagnostic test. Other conditions can sometimes resemble ADHD, so it is important to work with a professional who is able to rule out these other conditions and make the appropriate diagnosis.
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