Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
Many adults with ADHD have a difficult time getting diagnosed. Doctors must determine if symptoms are present now, and if they have been present at different times in life (technically prior to age 12).
A thorough assessment usually requires more than one person. It is helpful to include family members, colleagues and teachers.
Self-Assessment Tools
The most well-known self-assessment instrument for adults suffering from ADHD is the Adult ADHD Symptom Self-Report Scale. Adults can take it at home. It is accessible online. This tool asks a series of questions regarding the symptoms that are typically reported by people with ADHD. This tool can be used as a first step to determine if you should seek a further evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Other symptoms inventories for adults include the BADDS42 as well as the AD/HD Symptom Inventory for Adults (AD/HD-IS), and the CAARS44. The BADDS is a 40-item measure that assesses a variety of ADHD symptoms in real-world scenarios. It can be administered either as a 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 norms based on age.
These inventories of symptoms can be helpful in diagnosing the problem by providing a wider array of information than a single clinical interview however, they are limited by their low predictive power. This means that they considerably over-diagnose cases of possible ADHD. The reason for this is that many of the symptoms assessed by these tools are present in healthy individuals and are not limited to ADHD.
Another issue is that a diagnosis of ADHD must be based on the existence of symptoms over time and in a variety of situations. This requires a more thorough assessment of the way that one performs under various angles, and consideration of comorbidities such as depression or substance abuse disorders. These comorbidities are typically present with ADHD and can have a negative effects on the quality of life for those who suffer from these disorders.
Despite these limitations, self-assessment tools are still a great initial screening tool that can help a person recognize the possibility that they have elevated levels of ADHD symptoms and should consider a clinical evaluation. This is particularly relevant for those who are concerned that their symptoms are impacting their life quality in the school, at work or within their own family.
Interviews with an ADHD specialist can provide an improved picture and provide a higher level of certainty in a diagnosis. They can draw upon an array of data that can include the results of neuropsychological testing and other measures based on performance, as well as anecdotal evidence from a patient's daily life.
Diagnosis
Only a licensed mental healthcare professional with the proper training to conduct such assessments can determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. Self-tests online, such as self-tests or rating scales can indicate whether your symptoms are caused by ADHD but they are not able to provide a definitive diagnosis.
A professional ADHD evaluation involves a comprehensive interview, information from independent sources like a spouse or family members and standardized 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 areas of their life. A person could be afflicted by being fired from a job, experiencing financial problems due to not paying their bills on time, or experiencing conflict and distress in relationships.
For the clinical interview, it is important that the patient talk about the symptoms in a candid manner and honestly. Adults suffering from ADHD tend to shy away from their symptoms due to fear of being judged or fearful that others will be judging them. Although this can be a challenge to overcome, it is crucial for a clinician to have the best understanding of the individual's symptoms and the impact they have on his or her life.
Structured diagnostic interviews are available to assess adult ADHD and can help make the process less dependent on DSM-based symptom inventories which were designed for children and do not always translate well to adults. Adult ADHD inventories and symptoms checklists, executive function inventories, and impairment/quality-of-life scores are also beneficial to the evaluation process since they permit the doctor to track the progress of a patient throughout treatment.
Ask your primary care doctor for an appointment with a local professional who specializes in the diagnosis of adult ADHD. You can also get an appointment through your insurance company, contact an academic hospital or your local psychology association for help in locating a qualified professional. If you're having trouble finding someone in your area or in your area, you can call a national company that offers phone or video consultations to connect you with an expert. These services are a reasonable method of getting the assistance that you require right now.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD may experience difficulties at home, work and in their relationships. Inattention, disorganization and issues with impulsivity can impact self-esteem and social performance which can lead to frustration and the feeling that things won't be perfect. It's crucial to find a professional who knows the difficulties of diagnosing and treating adult ADHD.
Adults have to exhibit more severe symptoms than children in order to be diagnosed. Adults must have persistent, severe issues in a variety of areas of their lives. It is also essential to take a complete medical history, as some illnesses have symptoms similar that are similar to ADHD, such as seizures, thyroid disorders and hearing or vision problems. Some drugs and medications could also cause symptoms and signs.
The structured diagnostic interview helps the clinician verify that the symptoms being described are indeed symptoms of ADHD and not related to other neurodevelopmental disorders or psychiatric illnesses. This can include questions about the patient's education, work and family history. adhd in women adults may also inquire about current and past alcohol and drug abuse, as well as any other health issues, such a sleep disorder hearing or vision problem or sleep disorders.
In addition to the structured interview, additional tests could be used. These include IQ tests and achievement tests as along with other tests for neuropsychological or psychological testing. These tests do not diagnose ADHD but they can provide crucial information about how it affects an individual.
After a clear diagnosis has been established, psychosocial treatment and pharmacological treatments are often employed to treat the symptoms. These treatments can be employed as a pair or in combination. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can be used to discover and modify "thought distortions" and improve a patient's ability to prioritize and organize tasks. ADHD medication is a way to decrease impulsiveness, which can make it difficult for patients to finish their school work or work assignments.
Adults with newly diagnosed ADHD or uncontrolled symptoms are advised to consult their physician within the next 30 days. Following that, regular follow-ups will be recommended until symptoms and functioning have improved. It is also important for the health professional to be aware of any comorbidities like mood and anxiety disorders, while receiving treatment.
Support
Adults suffering from ADHD can find support in various ways. Some are at ease in online forums and virtual peer support groups like those offered by ADDitude magazine. Attending local support groups and camps for children, teens and adults with ADHD can help them connect with others. These groups provide support, materials, and guest speakers who can assist in learning how to cope, as well as other life skills.
Adults are more difficult to diagnose than children, and a majority of the self-assessment tools cannot provide an accurate diagnosis. The symptom guidelines in the DSM-V are specifically designed to help diagnose children, while an adult ADHD diagnosis is only made after a comprehensive clinical evaluation that includes structured diagnostic interviews as well as a variety of objective measures. Performance-based tests and neuropsychological tests are especially helpful in evaluating executive function issues. They permit a doctor to observe symptoms in action and provide a better picture of the extent of impairment than self-report instruments.
It is crucial to speak with other significant people in the patient's life, such as the spouse or partner, parents and siblings and employers. It can be difficult for those being evaluated to open up and discuss their issues. Most people with ADHD have a limited awareness of how their behaviors affect the people around them. They may also be reluctant to report the negative effects of their behavior.
A thorough evaluation requires a thorough review of the patient's medical history to determine if there are any psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions which could be the cause of the symptoms. It is not uncommon for a person with ADHD to be diagnosed with more than one disorder.
It is important for those with ADHD to have a third party complete questionnaires that evaluate their symptoms and impact on quality of life. This is because the symptom ratings are subjective. The person who is chosen is a close friend, sibling or parent who is familiar with the individual and can attest to their observations. Some doctors also request that a trusted friend or employer fill out similar forms in order to gain additional information that cannot be found in a standard clinical interview.