Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
Many adults suffering from ADHD are having a difficult finding a way to diagnose. Doctors must determine if symptoms are present now or whether they were present at different times in life (technically prior to age 12).
Usually, a thorough assessment requires more than one person. It is often helpful to include coworkers, family members and teachers.
Self-Assessment Tool
The Adult ADHD Symptom Self Report Scale is the most sought-after tool for self-assessment among adults suffering from ADHD. It is available online and can be completed by adults at home. This tool asks a set of questions regarding the symptoms that are commonly encountered by people suffering from ADHD. This tool can be used as a first step to determine whether or not you should seek further assessment from a medical professional.
Other symptoms inventories for adults include the BADDS42 and the AD/HD Symptom Inventory for Adults (AD/HD-IS) and the CAARS44. The BADDS is a 40-item test that contextualizes ADHD symptoms in real-life scenarios it is a 40-item measure. It can be used as a self-report, or as an instrument rated by observers. It provides a range of beneficial supplementary factors aside from the DSM-5 subscales and offers age-based norms.
These inventories of symptoms are helpful in the process of diagnosing ADHD because they provide a wider range of information than a single interview, however their low predictive value for positive make them less effective. This means they over-identify probable ADHD cases. The reason for this is because many of the symptoms assessed by these tools are present in healthy individuals and are not limited to ADHD.
Another issue is that the diagnosis of ADHD must be based on the presence of symptoms over time and in a variety of settings. This requires a deeper assessment of the functioning from different angles and the evaluation of comorbidities, like depression or addiction disorders. These comorbidities are frequently present with ADHD, and can have a negative impact on the quality of life of people suffering from these conditions.
Despite the limitations, self-assessment tools remain useful as a first screening tool that can identify a person's possibility that they have elevated levels of ADHD symptoms and should consider a clinical evaluation. This is particularly crucial for those who feel that their symptoms may be impacting their life at school, at work or even in their family.
Contrary to self-assessment tools and clinical consultations with an expert in the field of ADHD can provide a fuller picture and greater confidence in a diagnosis. They can utilize a range of data, including neuropsychological tests and other performance-based measurements and anecdotal evidence from the patient's everyday life.
Diagnosis
Only a licensed mental healthcare professional who is trained to conduct such assessments can diagnose adult ADHD. Online tools such as self-tests or rating scales may help determine if your symptoms could be caused by ADHD however they cannot offer an exact diagnosis.
A professional ADHD assessment requires a thorough assessment and information from independent sources like a spouse or a family member and standardized psychometric testing. A thorough assessment is made to determine if the person's symptoms have a severe enough impact that they cause impairment in more than one area of their lives. The signs of impairment could include being fired from a job, enduring financial difficulties due to not paying bills on time or having trouble and conflict in relationships.
It is crucial that patients discuss their symptoms honestly and openly during the clinical interview. Many people with ADHD hold back because they are embarrassed about their struggles or worry that others will judge them for having the disorder. Although this isn't always easy to overcome, it is crucial for a therapist to have the most complete picture of the patient's symptoms and the impact they have on the person's life.
Structured diagnostic interviews are a viable option to evaluate adult ADHD and can assist in making the process less reliant on DSM-based symptom inventories, which were developed for children and don't always translate well to adults. Adult ADHD inventories, executive function inventories, and impairment/quality-of-life ratings are all useful tools in the evaluation process. They allow the clinicians to monitor the progress of the patient throughout treatment.
Ask your primary physician to recommend you to a local specialist that specializes in adult ADHD diagnosis. You may also request an insurance company's recommendation or contact a hospital that is affiliated with a university or check with your local psychology group or support group to find a qualified professional. If you're having difficulty finding a specialist 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 you require right now.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD might have issues at work, home and in their relationships. Inattention, disorganization, and impulsivity symptoms can affect self-esteem and social performance leading to frustration and a feeling that things won't be perfect. It's crucial to find a specialist who understands the challenges of diagnosing and treating adults suffering from ADHD.
In contrast to children, adults have to have higher thresholds of symptoms in order to be diagnosed. Adults have to show persistent, severe issues in several areas of their lives. It is also crucial to gather a thorough medical history, since some illnesses have symptoms similar that are similar to ADHD like thyroid disorders, seizures and problems with vision or hearing. Additionally, adhd adult and drugs can trigger ADHD-like symptoms.
Diagnostic interviews structured to help clinicians verify that the symptoms being described are indeed symptoms of ADHD and not related to other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders. This can include questions about the patient's work, school, and family history. The doctor can also inquire about the use of alcohol and drugs both in the past and the present, and any other health problems such as sleep disorder, problems with vision or hearing.
In addition to the structured interview, other tests may be used. These include IQ tests and achievement tests, as in addition to various tests for neuropsychological or psychological testing. These tests do not diagnose ADHD however they do provide valuable information on the effects of ADHD on an individual.
Once a diagnosis is made, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment is usually used to treat the symptoms. These can be administered individually or in combination. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can be used to discover and alter "thought distortions" and enhance the ability of a patient to prioritize and organize tasks. ADHD medication can also be used to decrease the inattention and impulsiveness that make it difficult for people with ADHD to complete their school work or assignments.
It is recommended that all adults who have the diagnosis of ADHD or uncontrolled symptoms should visit their physician within 30 days. Regular follow-ups are then suggested until symptoms and function have improved. It is also important for the health professional to be aware of any comorbidities such as mood or anxiety disorders, while undergoing treatment.
Support
Adults suffering from ADHD can seek help in various ways. Some people who suffer from ADHD are at ease in online forums or virtual peer support groups such as those provided by ADDitude Magazine. They can also meet others by attending local support groups or camps for teens, children and adults with ADHD. These groups can offer support, resources, materials and guest speakers to help 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 for self-assessment cannot provide a clear diagnosis. The DSM-V guidelines on symptom severity are intended to help diagnose children. An adult ADHD diagnosis can only be determined after a thorough clinical evaluation that includes a an organized diagnostic interview as well as a variety objective measures. Tests for performance and neuropsychological testing are particularly helpful in testing for executive functioning deficiencies. They permit a doctor to observe symptoms in action and can provide a better picture of the severity of impairment than self report instruments.
It is important to interview other important people in the life of the patient including spouse or spouse, parents or siblings, and employers. While this may be difficult for the person being questioned however, it is essential to let them open to discussing their issues openly. Many times, people suffering from ADHD have a low awareness of how their behavior affects those around them and may be reluctant to report the negative effects of their actions.
A complete evaluation involves a thorough review of the patient's past to determine if there are any psychiatric or other issues that may be the cause of the symptoms. It is not unusual for someone with ADHD to have more than one disorder at the same time.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to have someone else fill out questionnaires that assess their symptoms and impact on quality of life. This is because the symptom ratings are subjective. This person should be close to the person like a parent, sibling or someone who can confirm their observations. Some doctors will also request that an employer or colleague who is a trusted source complete similar forms in order to gather additional information that might not be obtained in a typical clinical interview.