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ADHD Assessment For Adults If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD The first step is to obtain an assessment. The doctor will speak with you about your progress, health and family history. They may also interview your partner, friends or teachers to gain a more complete picture of your symptoms. You will be asked to rate your symptoms on an assessment scale. Make sure you answer truthfully to get the most accurate results. Diagnosis Mental health professionals will look at symptoms and their impact on the daily routine of the person to determine ADHD. They will inquire about their experiences since childhood as well as their school and work experiences. They may also use standardized questionnaires and scales to determine the extent to which ADHD symptoms are present. They will also interview relatives, friends and people who know the individual well. A thorough assessment of ADHD can take anywhere between one and three hours. It is crucial for the patient to be prepared with a list of symptoms and their effects on their lives. Additionally, they should bring their medical history as well as any other health issues. It's also an excellent idea to inquire with their insurance provider to find out whether or not ADHD assessments are covered. It is essential for the patient to be honest and transparent during the evaluation. The clinician may ask for permission to interview other people like the spouse or close friend of the individual to get a full picture of their life. They could also request permission to speak with the person's parents or teachers to find more about their childhood experiences and how they behave. While adults may have ADHD, they cannot be diagnosed with it if they didn't have symptoms in their childhood (technically before the age of 12). This is because ADHD doesn't usually go away. It is also essential for the therapist to know how the symptoms impact their daily life and in which circumstances they occur. ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms are so severe that they interfere with the functioning of a person in at least two different areas of their lives, including school and home. The symptoms must result in impairment that is enduring, in spite of efforts made by the person to overcome them. If you suspect that you may have ADHD, talk to your doctor about an assessment. You can also reach out to people who suffer from ADHD and speak with them about your issues. You might gain some useful tips and advice from them to assist you in managing your ADHD better. Treatment A thorough ADHD assessment is typically lengthy, lasting from one to three hours. It is important that the person undergoing the assessment take the time to answer all questions and give the clinician the information they need. The examiner will inquire questions about the patient's developmental medical and psychiatric background. The evaluator could also talk to other people, such as teachers, family members and other care providers. As part of the evaluation the evaluator will inquire about whether the patient has been having issues at school or at work. The clinician will also consider the ways in which the symptoms of ADHD impact the person's family life and relationships. Based on the results of the initial evaluation the evaluator could suggest further testing. This testing is designed to detect other conditions, such as learning disabilities and personality disorders which may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. The evaluator can also test for seizure disorders or thyroid disorders. Many of the people who are evaluated for ADHD may also be suffering from depression or anxiety. In these instances the examiner will discuss psychotherapy options. In general, this will involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is designed to help promote self mediation and control strategies. CBT can be offered in a single session or in a group setting. Some evaluators think that ADHD patients should receive psychotherapy in addition to medication. The majority of research indicates that ADHD is best treated using medication alone. A comprehensive ADHD assessment is essential to identify the treatment plan appropriate for each person. If you are interested in an ADHD evaluation, contact your insurance provider to find out whether they have specialists for ADHD diagnosis. You may also request an appointment with your doctor of family. Another option is to contact your local chapter of CHADD or a mental health professional association, for names of professionals in your region who specialize in ADHD. You can also get referrals from support groups, like those for people suffering from depression or bipolar disorder. Counseling A competent mental health professional will discuss with you in detail about the problems you are experiencing, as well as the methods you've tried to address the issues. She will inquire about your family and professional life and other issues like alcohol or drug abuse as well as emotional traumas. You may also want to talk to people close to you, like your spouse or another important person, or a coach, teacher or nanny who knows you well from your childhood for their insights into your past and present performance. This is especially important for adults, as their memories of their past behavior could be distorted due to the presence or absence of ADHD symptoms. Based on the circumstances it is possible that you will require additional tests to rule out other causes of your difficulties. This might include cognitive testing to identify learning or intellectual impairments; medical tests such as for thyroid disorders or seizure disorder that can trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) to assist you in dealing with emotional issues such as depression or feelings of failure, which can intensify or cover up your ADHD symptoms. Psychotherapy is a beneficial tool for ADHD adults, as it teaches you to manage the effects of ADHD at home and at work. It can help improve your organizational skills as well as teach you strategies to improve concentration, impulse control, and executive functioning. It can also reduce distress and improve your relationship with your partner or with others in your life. There are numerous mobile and online services that can help you find a therapist who specializes in adult ADHD. These services let you choose from a list of licensed professionals, including social workers and psychiatric nurses who are rated by their patients as excellent, very good or excellent. They can assist you in creating a schedule that fits your budget and lifestyle. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines to diagnose ADHD in the fifth edition of their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. During the assessment process doctors will examine your symptoms with those listed in this manual to determine if you suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis is made if symptoms manifest in more than one place like work or at school, and are persistent and debilitating and started in childhood. Support Many adults find the notion of ADHD stigmatizing and dismiss symptoms as a “normal” aspect of life. They may delay seeking treatment because they are afraid to admit to having trouble keeping track of their tasks and being organized or meeting deadlines. A thorough evaluation by a mental health professional or health care professional is usually the first step in treatment. This evaluation focuses on the person's mood and medical history and also how the symptoms influence work and relationships with family and friends as well as other aspects of everyday life. A comprehensive ADHD assessment could take a few hours. assessing adhd in adults of the assessment is a thorough interview. The examiner uses standard questions to ensure that all symptoms are addressed and then compares them with the ADHD diagnostic criteria. The examiner also reviews reports from the past as well as questionnaires, and if available brain imaging. The resulting report can help identify the presence of comorbidity. If the patient also has depression or anxiety symptoms, they could overlap with ADHD. The report will also reveal other factors that could contribute to the difficulties of a person like learning disabilities, medical conditions and stress. If a diagnosis is made of ADHD The next step is to locate a therapist or psychiatrist who has experience to treat this disorder. Check with your insurance company to determine whether they will cover professionals who are specialists in treating ADHD. If they do not, they should inquire with other patients who were successfully treated for recommendations and ask for recommendations from local groups. CHADD is a major organization that has chapters throughout the U.S. The website of CHADD contains a wealth information on ADHD and lists of specialists trained to treat the disorder. It is also worth looking into social media sites like Facebook, where there are several groups for people living with ADHD. Just be careful to ensure that the group you join is not commercially-oriented.