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ADHD Adult Test – Important Steps in Diagnosing Adult ADHD In an ADHD screen the doctor will ask you questions about your family and personal background, your work and school performance, as well as your surroundings. They will also request your medical history and perform an examination of your body. A thorough ADHD assessment will include questions about your childhood and any alcohol or drug use. Your physician will inquire about any comorbid conditions which could mimic the symptoms associated with ADHD. Symptoms If an adult suspects they are suffering from ADHD, it is important to talk to your primary care physician. They can help you to know what ADHD is and can refer you to mental health services in the event of need. You can also locate an expert local counselor who specializes in ADHD. To determine ADHD, a medical professional will employ an assessment tool. This usually involves a comprehensive interview and a series of questions regarding symptoms. The examiner wants to know about your past and determine if there were any significant childhood events that may have caused your symptoms and behavior. For instance whether you were subjected to trauma or medical conditions in your early years of childhood. The evaluator determines the severity of your symptoms. This is determined by how much your impairments affect your everyday functioning. This could be the case if, for example, you had significant difficulties in completing your work or getting along with family members. This is an essential aspect of the process of diagnosing since it ensures that your ADHD symptoms aren't explained by mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. In addition to conducting a thorough clinical interview, the evaluator may also use standardized behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptoms checklists. These tools can help to identify if you have six or more established ADHD symptoms in one of the two main categories — inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. If necessary, the examiner might also conduct neuropsychological psycho-educational or learning disability tests. These tests can reveal the existence of working memory deficiencies, executive functions ability, visual and spatial skills and other factors. It is possible to be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe ADHD symptoms in light of your interview and symptom assessment. These are the different levels of the disorder and they show how your ADHD symptoms impact you in your life. For instance, mild ADHD symptoms will have minimal effect on your social and work activities. Moderate ADHD symptoms have a greater impact on your daily life. Extreme ADHD symptoms can affect all aspects of your daily life. Diagnosis It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD especially among adults. Although many Internet sites offer symptom checklists and questionnaires, the sole legitimate diagnosis of ADHD is made by a licensed mental health professional or doctor (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor). The process of evaluating involves an interview with the patient by the doctor, usually with a person who is in constant contact with him or her, such as parents, spouses, sibling; teacher or coach; or a babysitter. Other important steps include assessing the individual's symptoms at work, at school, at home and among friends. Making a complete medical record is also an important step. When conducting an evaluation of an adult, the physician will evaluate the patient's symptoms to those described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This manual outlines the symptoms used to diagnose ADHD in teenagers and children. But, due to differences between adults and children the criteria aren't always applicable to diagnosing adults suffering from the disorder. The clinician can also use the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults. This is a self-reporting, 40-item test that assesses various aspects of ADHD symptoms. During the interview the clinician will want to learn more about the individual's early life. Many adults suffering from ADHD do not remember their childhoods well, or even at all. The doctor will need to gather as much information from the person's parents, teachers, and others who have been around them in the past. The doctor will ask the individual to fill out a questionnaire to see how they respond to certain situations such as not attending an appointment or losing their keys. He or she will also talk about the person's life style, family and work history. In addition, the physician will require a list of medications that the individual takes and the symptoms they are experiencing at the moment. The clinician will determine if the symptoms are caused by other conditions such as anxiety or depression, and then decide on the appropriate treatment plan. Treatment A clear diagnosis of adult ADHD is a critical step in obtaining the right treatment. Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders that require treatment. Others have physical ailments which affect their symptoms. Whatever the cause of symptoms is, most adults who suffer from this disorder will benefit from the combination of psychotherapy and medication. In general, a mental healthcare professional will conduct the ADHD assessment. The doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history, and also inquire about their school, work, and their personal lives. He may conduct an examination for psychological health or ask to speak to a spouse, parent or sibling for additional information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires. Based on the circumstances, an examination for neurological or physical health could be required. The evaluator will use rating scales and other tools to determine if you or your child has established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity for the past six months. The evaluator may interview family members, colleagues or teachers to obtain more information. He may ask you or your child to recall what you did as a child. Some experts believe this interview is an important element of a thorough ADHD assessment for adults and children. Other tests may include a psychological examination and cognitive behavioral therapy in order to address issues with behavior or thoughts like “thought distorsions” or self defeating beliefs. A cognitive behavior therapist can help you or your child replace these unhealthy habits and beliefs with healthier ones. Your therapist can assist you in devising strategies to improve your organizational abilities. For example using a daily planner and creating lists of tasks. They can also teach you how to control impulsive behaviors and decrease risk-taking. They can also recommend groups of support like an ADHD or life coach. Adults with ADHD may benefit from stimulant drugs like amphetamines or methylphenidates. These drugs are believed to increase dopamine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter which affects attention and motor coordination. These medications are only available to patients with a clear diagnosis of the disorder and who meet specific requirements. Counseling In some instances, people are referred to a specialist without even having ADHD. This can cause stress for those being referred (long waiting lists, long assessments, and finally finding out they do not have ADHD), inefficient use of healthcare resources and higher costs. Inappropriate referrals can also result in an over-diagnosis of ADHD (increasing the likelihood of stimulant use which can lead to abuse and diversion in some cases) and can increase the number of people who are diagnosed with ADHD when their symptoms are related to other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or anxiety. A complete ADHD evaluation should include a detailed diagnostic interview conducted by a qualified doctor. This can include questions about the person's life in general whether at work or in school as well as their relationship with their family and friends, drug and alcohol use and driving background, medical issues and their mental health history from childhood to now. The examiner will look to determine if the individual is meeting the requirements for ADHD diagnosis (inattention hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsiveness). They will also examine whether the symptoms are caused by impairment. Standardized tests for adhd in adults and scales of ratings can be useful for the assessment of ADHD symptoms. These can be administered either by the evaluator or by an independent source such as a spouse. They are particularly helpful when a person is not sure of their own symptoms or believes that they have other causes for their difficulties. The evaluator may also ask the person to fill out an retrospective ADHD behavior profile from their childhood. Psychological testing is often used to provide a complete assessment of a person's cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning. This may include behavioral assessments as well as rating scales and neuropsychological tests. This provides a more complete picture than a diagnostic interview alone and can be used to guide accommodations, interventions and treatment plans.