How to Get Assessed For ADHD As an Adult
People can be diagnosed with ADHD if they have symptoms that last for a long time and are severe enough to affect their daily activities. The specialist will also consider the impact of ADHD on family members and friends.
The professional doing the evaluation may request any documents from your childhood which could aid them in understanding how you've struggled. They could also request questionnaires from your family and close friends.
1. Schedule an appointment with your GP
Booking an appointment with your GP is the first step to getting diagnosed with ADHD. Your doctor may refer you to a medical professional who is skilled in ADHD assessments for adults.
During the interview Your health care provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. You will be asked questions about your family history and your personal life. It is important to be honest, especially in the event that you are experiencing significant problems at work or at home because of your symptoms. Your doctor may also ask you to provide questionnaires to your spouse, or other close family members to gain more information about your symptoms.
Your doctor could also perform psychological and physical tests. They will be able to identify other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example depression and anxiety. They might also provide you with an assessment of your academic performance.
It is important that you bring your report cards or any other school records with you to the evaluation. People with ADHD may have trouble remembering certain details from their childhood. You may be asked to fill out an retrospective ADHD Profile, which entails interviewing someone who is familiar with your childhood and its effects on your adult life. This isn't meant to question your honesty; it's just a way of providing more information about your issues.
2. Ask your GP for the referral to an expert
A specialist in ADHD can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. They can assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. A doctor may also prescribe medication, if you need it.
Be honest when you speak with a doctor about your concerns and their impact on your life. They might be interested in talking to your family or friends, too. They can offer a different perspective on your issues and might uncover things you didn't think of.
You will be asked to write about your childhood. You may be asked to bring report cards and other documentation from your school years. Some specialists may want to interview teachers, parents or other people who knew you well in your youth and can provide details about your childhood behaviour.
Adults with untreated ADHD often suffer from comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by the chronic stress and frustration caused by untreated ADHD and can cause the symptoms of ADHD worse. Your mental health professional could refer you to counsellors who can assist with depression and anxiety or to an expert therapist who specializes in adult ADHD. You can also search for an ADHD support group in your area and ask the people there for a recommendation. You can also request recommendations from the local hospital of your university or graduate school of psychology.
3. Ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist
If you have a medical insurance plan, ask your family doctor to refer you to a health healthcare professional who conducts ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also call an institution in your area that offers graduate programs in clinical psychology and ask them to recommend a person. You might have to pay a fee, but the evaluation will be closely monitored by a psychologist.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is specialized in brain disorders and can diagnose and treat you. They are able to prescribe medications for ADHD and other disorders. They can help you manage your symptoms with counseling and other life skills. They can also help you to find a support network. They can be costly however, they are extremely experienced in diagnosing and treating ADHD.
You may also visit a nurse practitioner, which is another type of healthcare professional that can assist you with mental health issues. They are also known as psychiatric nurses and can diagnose and treat ADHD. They may also prescribe medication, but they are not capable of providing counselling.
You may also see a neurologist, who is a doctor who has specialized in the brain and the central nervous system. They can determine if there is any other conditions that may be causing symptoms of ADHD like anxiety or depression. They can also schedule MRI tests if needed.
4. Ask your GP for the referral to psychologists.
You can request your GP for a referral to psychologists, psychiatrists or other mental health professionals that specialize in adult ADHD. It is best to locate someone who has experience with adult ADHD in your region. It could take some time. You could ask your friends or family members if they know of any specialists in your local area, and you can also search online for specialists in adult ADHD. You can also contact an office of mental health or wellness center that provides ADHD evaluations, and they will likely have lists of specialists to pick from.
The first step to get diagnosed with ADHD is a thorough assessment that explores your symptoms and the impact they have on your life, including when you were younger. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then apply the diagnostic criteria to determine if you suffer from ADHD. If they suspect that you have it, they will refer you to a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist or psychiatrist who will prescribe medication.
Many universities offer doctoral programs in clinical psychology. These clinics offer ADHD evaluations at no cost or free to graduate students. You will be assessed by a graduate student who is closely monitored by an expert. This assures you of receiving the most thorough evaluation possible. This is a great option if you don't want to wait for years to receive an official diagnosis.
5. Ask your GP to refer you to a cognitive-behavioural therapy
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to diagnose ADHD. This includes physical examination as well as an interview to determine how the symptoms impact a person's life. It's important to determine if a person is suffering from any other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that share some of the symptoms of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will inquire about their history of attention problems and mental health issues. The specialist will look at the person's academic, work and family history to determine how they perform. Read the Full Report is essential that the person being evaluated is honest about their problems. They shouldn't conceal their issues out 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 if the symptoms are disruptive to the individual's life or they cause impairment in their functioning. The doctor will determine if the patient is suffering from any other disorder such as anxiety, depressive disorder or a learning problem.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment on the NHS, try asking your GP for an appointment with a cognitive behavioural therapist who specializes in adult ADHD. Full Record of the patients who have tried contacting the NHS to get an assessment report have experienced long waiting times, so a private option may be worth considering.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist for adult ADHD
Discuss with your doctor about your symptoms and your goals. If you feel that your ADHD is affecting your relationships with your friends and colleagues, then you might wish to consider classes or therapy that focuses on communication skills. If you frequently forget appointments or deadlines, speak up with your doctor and discuss the effects these issues have had on your professional and personal life.
The doctor you choose is likely to be a psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is specialized in adult ADHD. You could also be directed to a cognitive behavioural therapy.
In addition to conducting an in-depth interview, the doctor will ask you for instances of your symptoms and how they've affected your life. They will also ask you about your life in the past, particularly your childhood. This is because, in order to be considered to have ADHD you must have shown signs of the disorder during your the early years of your life (technically before the age of 12). This part of the test is difficult for many people with ADHD who don't recall or minimize their symptoms as children.
If you are able, bring the list of your current symptoms and any documents from school or work. This will help the evaluation specialist to make a precise diagnosis. They may also ask your co-workers or supervisors to provide more details about your behavior. Additionally, they will examine your medical history to determine if there are any underlying conditions that may contribute to your ADHD.