How to Get Assessed For ADHD As an Adult
A person can be diagnosed with ADHD when they exhibit symptoms that last for a long period of time and are severe enough to impact their daily functioning. The specialist will also consider the impact of ADHD on family members and friends.
The person who is evaluating you could request documents from your childhood to help them understand what you've experienced. They might also ask you to complete questionnaires with your family members and close friends.
1. Make an appointment with your GP
The first step to get diagnosed with ADHD is to make an appointment with your GP. Your GP will be competent to refer you to a health professional who specialises in ADHD assessments for adults.
During the interview, your healthcare professional will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will also ask you about your family history and personal details. It is essential to be honest, especially in the event that you are experiencing significant problems at home or at work because of your symptoms. Your health care provider may request questionnaires for your spouse or other close family members to gain more information about your symptoms.
In addition to the symptom assessment, your health care provider will probably perform psychological and physical tests. These tests will aid your health care provider identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety or depression. They might also provide you with a test to measure your academic performance.
People with ADHD may have a difficult recalling specifics from their childhood, which is why it is essential to bring report cards or other school records to the assessment. They might request you to complete an retrospective ADHD profile, where they interview someone who is familiar with you about your childhood behavior and the impact it had on your adult life. This is not meant to question your honesty; it is simply a way to provide more context about your problems.
2. Request your GP to refer you to a specialist
A specialist in ADHD can be a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist. They can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. A doctor can prescribe medication, if you need it.
When you see an expert, be honest about your issues and how they impact your life. They may also want to talk to your family members or your friends. They could offer a different perspective on your problems and may be able to see things you haven't considered.
adhd adults assessment will likely be asked about your childhood. The specialist might ask you to bring reports from your school days as well as other records pertinent to your case. Some specialists will want to interview teachers, parents or other people who were familiar with you during your youth and can provide information regarding your childhood conduct.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD often suffer from comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. Untreated ADHD can cause chronic stress and anxiety and can exacerbate the symptoms. Your mental health professional could recommend you to an experienced counselor who can help with your anxiety and depression or to a therapist who specialises in adult ADHD. You can also ask for suggestions from an ADHD support group. You can also contact your local university-based hospital or a graduate school of psychology to get suggestions.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist
If you have a medical insurance policy, ask your family physician to refer you to a health care professional who can perform ADHD evaluations for adults. You may also seek out a local college that has an advanced program in clinical psychology to request recommendations. You may have to pay a fee however the evaluation will be closely monitored by a psychologist.
A psychiatrist is a medical professional who is specialized in brain disorders and can diagnose and treat you. They may prescribe medication for ADHD or other conditions. They can assist you with managing your symptoms by providing counseling and other life skills. They can also assist you find an aid network. They are expensive however they have a high degree of expertise in diagnosing and treating ADHD.
You may also speak with a nurse practitioner who is another kind of healthcare professional that can help with mental health issues. They are commonly referred to as mental health nurses for psychiatric reasons and are able to diagnose and treat ADHD. They may prescribe medication however they cannot provide counselling.
You can also talk to a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the central and brain nerve system. They can detect comorbidity and determine if there are other conditions that are causing the symptoms of ADHD like depression or anxiety disorder. They can also arrange MRI tests if necessary.
4. Ask your GP to refer you to a psychologist
You can request your GP for an appointment with psychologists, psychiatrists or other mental health professionals who specialize in adult ADHD. It is best to find a specialist who has experience with adult ADHD in your region. It could take some time. You can ask your friends and family members if they know of any specialists in your area, and you can also search online for doctors who specialise in adult ADHD. You can also contact any mental health or wellbeing center that offers ADHD assessments. They will likely have an inventory of specialists available.
The first step to get diagnosed with ADHD is a detailed interview which focuses on your symptoms and the impact they affect your life as well as when you were younger. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then apply a set of diagnostic criteria to determine if you suffer from ADHD. If they suspect that you have ADHD, they might refer you to an acupuncturist or a cognitive-behavioural specialist who can prescribe medication.
Many universities offer clinical psychology doctoral programs, and there are clinics that offer low-cost or free ADHD evaluations for their graduate students. You'll be evaluated by a graduate student who is closely monitored by an expert, which means you can be confident that you'll receive the most comprehensive assessment you can get. This is a great option for those who you don't want wait years for an official diagnosis.
5. Ask your GP for a referral to a cognitive behavioural therapist
A diagnosis of ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This may include a physical exam and an interview in order to determine how symptoms impact the person's daily activities. It's also important to identify whether the person suffers from other mental health conditions that may share some of the similar symptoms of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
During the interview, a specialist will ask about the person's background with attention issues and other mental health issues. The specialist will also look at the person's family, school and work history to understand how they function. It's important that the person being assessed opens up honestly about their problems. They shouldn't hide their struggles because of shame or embarrassment.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD, adults or children must have at least five established ADHD behaviors in the categories of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity for six months or longer. The specialist will also look into whether the symptoms cause disruption to the person's life and they cause impairment in their functioning. The specialist will also determine if the person has any other disorders like depression, anxiety disorder, or a learning difficulty.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment through the NHS or other services, ask your GP to refer you to a cognitive specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. Many of the patients who have tried to access the NHS report long waiting periods and a private assessment could be worth looking into.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD
Once you've found a specialist, talk with them about how their symptoms influence your daily life and what your goals are. If your ADHD affects the relationships you have with your friends and colleagues, then you may be interested in classes or therapy that focuses on communication skills. If you find yourself frequently forgetting appointments or deadlines, be honest with your doctor about the effects these issues have had on your professional and personal life.
The person you choose to consult will likely be a psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is specialized in adult ADHD. You could be referred to cognitive-behavioural therapy.
In addition to conducting an organized interview, the therapist will also ask you to provide specific examples of your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. They will also ask you about your life in the past, particularly your childhood. You must have shown signs of ADHD in your childhood to be considered a candidate for diagnosis. This part of the test is a challenge for many people with ADHD who aren't able to remember or minimize their symptoms as children.
Bring any documents or information from your school or work. This will assist the evaluator make an accurate diagnosis. They can also speak with your supervisors, colleagues or teachers to gain a more complete picture of your behavior. Lastly, they will also review your medical history to determine whether there are any underlying conditions that may contribute to your ADHD.