Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
Many adults with ADHD have a hard time getting diagnosed. Doctors must determine if symptoms are present now, and whether they were present at different times throughout the course of their lives (technically at the age of 12).
A thorough evaluation usually involves more than one person. It is helpful to involve coworkers, family members and teachers.
Self-Assessment Tool
The Adult ADHD Symptom Self Report Scale is the most sought-after instrument for self-assessment for adults suffering from ADHD. Adults can complete it at home. It is accessible on the internet. This tool will ask questions about symptoms commonly encountered by ADHD sufferers. It is a good first step in determining whether or not to seek an additional assessment from a medical professional.
Other inventory of symptoms for adults include the BADDS42. The AD/HD Symptom Inventory for Adults is also available. The BADDS is a 40-item measurement that provides context for ADHD symptoms in real-life scenarios, is a 40 item measure. It can be administered either by self-report or as an instrument rated by an observer. It includes a number of important supplementary factors, separate from the DSM-5 subscales and offers age-based norms.
These symptom inventories are useful in the diagnosis process because they provide a wider range of information than a single clinical interview, however their low positive predictive values limit them. This means that they are able to over-identify possible ADHD cases. The reason for this is that many of the symptoms analyzed by these tools are also present in healthy people and are not exclusive to ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the presence and persistent symptoms in various settings over time. This requires a thorough evaluation of functioning under different angles, and consideration of comorbidities, such as addiction or depression. These comorbidities are frequently present in ADHD, and can have an adverse effect on the quality of life of people suffering from these conditions.
Despite the limitations, self-assessment tools remain useful as an initial screening tool that can alert a person to the possibility of having higher levels of ADHD symptoms and should consider having a medical evaluation. This is especially important for those who are concerned that their symptoms are impacting their daily life at the school, at work or within their own family.
Clinical interviews with an ADHD specialist can give a more complete picture and provide a higher level of certainty in a diagnosis. They can draw from an array of data, including the results of neuropsychological testing and other measures based on performance, as in addition to anecdotal evidence gathered from the daily activities of a patient.
Diagnosis
Only a licensed mental health professional who is trained to conduct such assessments can make a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Self-tests online, such as self-tests or rating scales can determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD but they cannot provide an accurate diagnosis.
A professional ADHD assessment involves a thorough interview as well as information from other sources such as spouse or family member, and standard psychometric tests. A thorough assessment is made to determine whether the individual's symptoms have a significant enough impact that they cause impairment in two or more aspects of their lives. It could be that you are fired from a job, experiencing financial issues because of not paying bills on time or having conflict and distress in relationships.
It is important that patients talk about their symptoms openly and honestly during the clinical interview. Adults suffering from ADHD often shy away from their symptoms due to fear of being judged or fearful that others will criticize them. It can be a challenge, but it is important for a clinician have an accurate picture of the individual's life and the symptoms.
Structured diagnostic interviews are a viable option for evaluating adult ADHD and can assist in making the process less reliant on symptom inventories based on the DSM, that were created for children and do not always translate well to adults. Adult ADHD inventories, executive function inventories, and impairment/quality-of-life scores are all useful tools in the evaluation process. They enable the clinicians to track the patient's progress throughout treatment.
Request your primary physician to recommend you to a local specialist that specializes in adult ADHD diagnosis. You can also request an insurance company's recommendation or a hospital affiliated with a university or check with your local psychology association or support group to locate an experienced professional. If you're having trouble finding a psychologist in your area, you can call a company that offers consultations via phone or video. These services are an affordable way to get the help that you require right now.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD might have issues at home, work and in their relationships. Inattention, disorganization and the symptoms of impulsivity can affect self-esteem and social functioning, causing frustration and the feeling that things will never be right. It is essential to find a professional that understands the challenges associated with diagnosing and treating adult ADHD.
As opposed to children, adults need to meet higher thresholds of symptoms in order to be diagnosed. Adults have to show chronic, severe problems in a variety of areas of their lives. It is important to collect a complete medical history as certain illnesses can exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD such as thyroid disorders hearing or vision issues, and seizures. Certain medications and medicines may also cause ADHD-like symptoms and signs.
Diagnostic interviews structured to help clinicians determine if the symptoms reported are indeed those of ADHD and not related to other psychiatric conditions or neurodevelopmental disorders. This can include asking about the patient's educational, work and family background. The physician may also inquire about the past and present alcohol and drug abuse, and any other health issues, like a sleep disorder hearing or vision problem or sleep disorders.
Other tests are available in addition to the structured interviews. These include IQ tests and achievement tests, as well as different tests for neuropsychological or psychological testing. These tests don't diagnose ADHD, but they can provide valuable information regarding the effects of ADHD on an individual.
After a diagnosis has been made, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment is often employed to address the symptoms. These may be done either individually or in combination. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can be used to identify and correct "thought distortions" and improve the ability of a patient to organize and prioritize tasks. ADHD medication can also be used to decrease the inattention and impulsiveness that makes it difficult for people with ADHD to complete their school or work assignments.
Adults with newly diagnosed ADHD or uncontrolled symptoms are advised to visit their physician within the next 30 days. It is recommended to follow up regularly until symptoms and functioning have improved. It is important that the health care professional monitors comorbid conditions like anxiety and mood disorders during treatment.
Support
Adults with ADHD can find help in many different ways. Some people who suffer from ADHD are at ease in online forums or virtual peer support groups such as those offered by ADDitude Magazine. They can also get connected with other people through attending local support groups or attending camps for kids, teens and adults suffering from ADHD. These groups offer support, resources, materials and guest speakers to assist with learning, coping and other life skills.
It is more difficult to diagnose an adult than diagnosing a child and a majority of the tools available for self-assessment cannot provide a clear diagnosis. The DSM-V guidelines for symptom management are designed to diagnose children. A mature ADHD diagnosis can only be made after a comprehensive clinical assessment that includes structured diagnostic interviews and various objective tests. Full Record for performance and neuropsychological testing are particularly helpful for evaluation of executive functioning issues. They permit a doctor to observe symptoms in action and give a more accurate picture of the severity of impairment than self report instruments.
It is essential to interview other significant individuals in the patient's life like the spouse or parent, siblings and parents and employers. While this may be difficult for the person being assessed however, it is essential that they speak to discussing their issues openly. Often, adults with ADHD have a low awareness of how their behaviors affect others around them and could be hesitant to speak about negative effects of their actions.
A thorough assessment requires a thorough review of the person's history to identify possible psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions that could explain the presenting symptoms. It is not uncommon for someone with ADHD to have more than one disorder at the same time.
It is important for adults who suffer from ADHD to have a third party complete questionnaires that evaluate their symptoms and impact on quality of life. This is because symptom ratings are subjective. This person should be close to the individual, such as an adult sibling, parent or acquaintance who can verify their observations. Some doctors also require that a trusted friend or employer complete similar forms as a way to obtain additional information that may not be obtained in a typical interview.