How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD
Many people who are undergoing an assessment for ADHD could be exaggerating falsely or even feign symptoms. A number of studies (Marshall and colleagues Citation2016; Suhr et al, Citation2008) reveal that approximately 27% of adults under taking a thorough ADHD assessment fail to recognize a valid diagnosis.
Self-report ADHD behavior ratings have a high sensitivity but low specificity. A more robust approach involves combining clinical interview information with neuropsychological testing or performance-based measures.
Diagnostic Criteria
If you're worried you may have ADHD, it's important to have a professional evaluate. 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 in obtaining a formal diagnosis is to make an appointment with a trained healthcare professional who can perform an assessment. Your practitioner will ask you questions regarding your current health issues and review your medical history. He or she might also inquire about your symptoms as an infant, and later as 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 determine if someone suffers from ADHD. These guidelines for clinical evaluation are referred to as diagnostic criteria and are similar to an inventory of symptoms. The criteria requires that symptoms have been present for at minimum 6 months and cause significant impairments in at least two areas of daily living.
Children and adolescents must exhibit symptoms before 12 years old. For adults, they should have been evident since early childhood. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptom must not be more easily explained by a different mental disorder (including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders or personality disorders).
In a confidential interview, it's important that people who are suspected of having ADHD discuss their concerns honestly and openly. Based on the individual's circumstances it might be necessary to disclose personal information to the evaluator regarding the risky behavior of a person's lifestyle. Asking for opinions from others who know the individual well is also helpful. This includes family members, former teachers or religious leaders, scouts, coaches, and employers.
The evaluator utilizes one of a number of common questionnaires to assess 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 specific symptoms are more than "normal" behavior.
Clinical Interview
The clinical interview is an essential component of the ADHD assessment battery. It aids the therapist to understand the core symptoms and how they impact different areas of life. It allows the therapist determine if other disorders are present that are similar to or worsen ADHD, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
The therapist will go over the patient's developmental, family and medical background to determine how their ADHD symptoms have affected their lives in both the past and the present. The therapist will determine how the symptoms affect the patient's academic, social or occupational performance. They will also search for any comorbid conditions that could cause the symptoms of the patient as many adults suffering from ADHD have a high percentage of comorbidity with both anxiety and depression (Friedrichs, Igl, Larsson, & Larsson Citation2012).
A number of studies have proven that behavioral rating scales are not enough to determine ADHD. However they can be used to distinguish valid symptoms from ones that aren't. Adding adhd assessment near me to a behavioral ADHD rating scale battery substantially increases the accuracy of diagnosis and combining these tests provides the greatest diagnostic accuracy.
It is crucial that the therapist conducts the interview with the client in a candid and honest 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 quality of the evaluation and can result in an underestimation or false negative of ADHD symptoms.
The therapist should ask about the individual's experiences in various settings like home, school, and work. They should also inquire about the individual about their personal relationships, like their relationship with their spouse or partner. The clinician should interview the patient as well as their family members to discuss the impact that the symptoms of the patient have on their lives. If this isn't feasible, the therapist could make use of a checklist to help identify the individual's symptom experiences.
Neuropsychological Tests
A health care provider performing a neuropsychological assessment may test your memory and thinking abilities in addition to other aspects of cognitive functioning. These tests are often given using a pencil and paper in the doctor's office, but can be performed on the computer. They could include memory tests like repeating the numbers or words. They also test your ability to read and draw images. Other tests assess how quickly you can process information and how well you can recognize people or objects, and how quickly you are able to determine if two things are similar (visuospatial skills).
The psychologist will review your medical history in order to determine if a condition or injury is causing issues. They'll also ask you about your mood, your mental health, and any anxiety or depression you've experienced. They may also interview other family members, friends, or coworkers to get more information about your conduct and experiences.
A neuropsychologist might offer you a variety of tests, and then compare your responses with the responses of others who took the same tests. This is a crucial part of the assessment. It's known as an normative comparison. This helps your doctor determine whether you're performing better or worse than people who have taken the same test.
The results of the neuropsychological test will aid your doctor in deciding what to do if they think you have a mental problem. They can use them to discern between normal cognitive changes that come with aging, and the actual decline in cognitive capacity that might be the result of an illness or disease, like Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
The results can be used to help guide future treatments, such as speech or occupational therapy. They can help your provider determine what areas you're lacking in and what strengths could compensate for them, so they can focus on building the skills you need. They are also useful in assessing the extent to which you're responding to the latest pharmacological treatment or noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation or deep brain stimulation.
Family History
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to control. They can cause tension in relationships and create problems at work or school. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can aid in getting help. The process of diagnosing ADHD can be lengthy however it's worth it. A qualified health care professional or physician can assess whether a person is suffering from the disorder by obtaining information from multiple sources. These include symptom checklists as well as standardized scales of behavior as well as a detailed record of past and current functioning, and information from relatives or close friends who are familiar with the individual.
It's important to find a health care provider who has experience evaluating and treating adults with ADHD. You can locate a specialist at your local mental health clinic or at your school. You can also request an appointment from a person you trust.
The health history of the family is crucial in diagnosing ADHD. The disorder tends to run through families, and it's not uncommon for children of parents with the disorder to be diagnosed as well. Your doctor will ask if you have any family members who have the disorder, or if they have been treated.
A medical professional could ask about your family's lifestyle, diet and genetic history. They'll also ask whether anyone has experienced serious illnesses. This will help them rule other conditions out, like depression or anxiety.
The criteria to diagnose ADHD requires that the symptoms of the disorder cause significant impairment in at least two aspects of the person's daily life. The impairment could be due to the loss of a job due to inattention or apathy. It could also be problems with relationships, difficulties paying bills or keeping up with homework. It could also be a problem staying on task at work, impulsive spending or risky driving habits.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms using an array of medications or diet, therapy, and exercise. However, without treatment the symptoms may remain a problem for the daily activities of a person and cause issues in their personal and family lives. The good news is that treatment for ADHD is highly effective for both children and adults.