How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD
Many adults who are undergoing an ADHD assessment might exaggerate their symptoms or even fake them. According to various studies (Marshall, et. and. Citation2016, Suhr, et. and., Citation2008) approximately 27% of people who undergo a comprehensive ADHD evaluation show no signs of the disorder.
Self-report ADHD scales for assessing behavior are adequate in sensitivity but they are not precise. Combining clinical interview data with neuropsychological tests and/or performance based measures is a more robust method.
Diagnostic Criteria
If you suspect 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 to get a formal diagnosis is to set up an appointment with a trained health care provider who can perform an assessment. Your doctor will ask questions regarding your current health issues and will review your medical history. He or she will also ask about your symptoms as a child and an adult.
Psychologists and psychiatrists use guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assess whether someone has ADHD. These clinical guidelines, called diagnostic criteria, are similar to an inventory of symptoms. The criteria require that symptoms are present for at minimum six months, and that they result in significant impairment in at least two settings of daily functioning.
Children and adolescents should show symptoms before 12 years old. Adults should have experienced the symptoms since the age of a child. For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must not be more easily explained by a different mental disorder (including mood disorders and anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders or personality disorders).
It's important for people who are suspected of having ADHD to express their concerns candidly and honestly during a confidential conversation with the evaluation. Based on the situation of a person it could be necessary to share personal information with the evaluator about risky lifestyle behavior. Requesting opinions from those who know the person well can be beneficial. This includes family members as well as former teachers, religious leaders and scouts, coaches and employers.
The examiner uses one of a variety of standard questionnaires to evaluate 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 that has shown that these particular symptoms are more than just "normal" behavior.
Clinical Interview
The clinical interview is an essential component of the ADHD battery. It helps the therapist to understand the core symptoms and how they affect different aspects of life. It also assists the therapist to determine whether other disorders might be present that are similar to or worsen ADHD symptoms, like anxiety and depression disorders.
The therapist will look over the patient's family, developmental, and medical history to determine how ADHD symptoms have affected their lives in the past and in the present. They will then determine the extent to which symptoms interfere with their academic and social or occupational performance. They will also search for any comorbid conditions that could explain the patient's symptoms, since many adults with ADHD have a high percentage of comorbidity between anxiety and depression (Friedrichs, Igl, Larsson, & Larsson Citation2012).
A number of studies have proven that the use of behavioral rating scales is not sufficient to detect ADHD. However, they can be used to identify legitimate symptoms from those that are not. The accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved when you add cognitive tests to the behavioral ADHD rating scale battery.
It is crucial that the therapist conduct the interview with the client in a honest and open manner. It is not unusual for people with ADHD to feel embarrassed or ashamed about their struggles, so they may hold back details during the interview. This could seriously compromise the accuracy of the assessment and may result in an underestimation or false negative of ADHD symptoms.
The therapist should ask the client about their experiences in different settings, like at home, at school, and at work. They should also ask about the person's interpersonal relationships, including their relationship with their spouse or partner. Ideally, the clinician should interview both the patient and their loved ones to discuss the impact of a person's symptoms on their lives together. If this is not possible, then the therapist should make use of a checklist to document the symptoms experienced by the patients.
Neuropsychological Tests
A doctor who is performing a neuropsychological assessment could test your memory and thinking abilities, as well as other aspects of cognitive functioning. These tests are usually administered with a pencil and paper at the doctor's office, but they can also be done on a computer. Memory tests can be included for example, the repetition of a list or numbers. They may also test your ability to read and draw pictures. Other tests assess how quickly you can process information as well as how well you recognize people or objects, and how quickly you can discern if two objects are the same (visuospatial skills).
The psychologist will examine your medical history to see if any illness or injury may be causing the issues you're having. They'll also ask you about your mood, your mental health and any depression or anxiety that you've had. They might interview others in your family, friends, or coworkers to get more information about your behavior and experiences.
A neuropsychologist might give you several different tests, and compare your results with the responses of others who have taken the same tests. This is called normative comparison, and it's a critical part of the assessment. It lets your doctor determine if you're doing worse or better than other participants who took the same test.
If your health care professional thinks you have a problem then the results of the neuropsychological tests can help them decide how to treat it. The results can be used to differentiate between normal cognitive changes that happen as we age and the actual cognitive decline caused by an illness like Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
The results can also be used to inform future treatment options, such as speech or occupational therapy. They can assist your therapist identify the areas you're weak in and what strengths could compensate for them and help them focus on building the skills you need. They can also be useful for evaluating how well you're responding to a new pharmacological treatment or noninvasive brain stimulation technique such as transcranial magnetic stimulation or deep brain stimulation.
Family History
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. They can cause difficulties at work or in school and cause stress in relationships. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it easier to get assistance. The process of diagnosing ADHD may take time however it is worth it. A certified health care professional or physician can assess whether someone is suffering from the disorder by gathering information from multiple sources. These include symptom checklists as well as standardized scales of behavior, a detailed history of the person's past and present functioning, and information from relatives or significant others who are familiar with the individual.
It's important to find a healthcare provider with experience in of evaluating and treating adults with ADHD. You can locate a specialist at your local mental health clinic or school. You can also request a referral from a person you are comfortable with.
The health history of your family members can be important for diagnosing ADHD. The condition tends to run in families, and it's typical for children of parents suffering from the disorder to be diagnosed with the disorder as well. Your doctor will ask you if you have relatives who suffer from the disorder or if they've been treated.
A health professional will inquire about your lifestyle, diet, and genetic history of your family. They will also inquire about any serious illnesses that have been reported by family members. This can aid in determining other ailments, like anxiety or depression.
The criteria for diagnosing ADHD is that the symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of a person's life. The impairment could be the loss of employment due to forgetfulness or inattention difficulties with homework or paying bills, or issues in relationships. It can also be a challenge to stay on track, excessive behavior, or spending time at work.
Some people with ADHD can manage their symptoms using the use of medication as well as diet, exercise and therapy. Without love it , symptoms can continue to interfere in the day-to-day activities of a person and cause issues for their family and their personal lives. The good news is that ADHD treatment can be highly effective for both children and adults.