How to Get Assessed For ADHD As an Adult
A person is diagnosed with ADHD when they exhibit symptoms that persist for a prolonged period of time and are severe enough to interfere with their daily functioning. The specialist will also look at the effects of ADHD on family members and friends.
The person who is evaluating you could ask for documents from your childhood to help them understand what you've been going through. They may also request questionnaires from your family and close friends.
1. Schedule an appointment with Your GP
Making an appointment with your GP is the first step in getting diagnosed with ADHD. Your GP is capable of referring you to a health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD assessments for adults.
During the interview your healthcare professional will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You will be asked about your family history as well as your personal life. It is crucial to be honest during this interview especially when your symptoms are causing significant problems for you at work or home. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires by your doctor for your spouse or other family members to gain more insight into your symptoms.
Your doctor may also conduct physical and psychological tests. These tests will aid your health care provider determine if there are other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. They might also provide you with a test to measure your academic performance.
It is important that you bring your report cards and any other school records with you for the assessment. The people with ADHD might have trouble recalling specific details from their childhood. They might request you to complete an retrospective ADHD profile, where they interview someone who is familiar with you about your childhood habits and the impact it affected your adult life. This isn't meant to challenge your honesty, it simply provides more information about your issues.
2. Have your GP to refer you to an expert
A specialist in ADHD can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. They can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and increase your quality of life. If you require medication, your doctor might prescribe it.
Be honest when you speak with a doctor about your concerns and how they impact your life. They may also want to talk to your family members or friends. They may offer a different perspective on your problems and might see things that you've not considered.
You are likely to be asked about your childhood. You might be asked to bring report cards and other records from your school years. Some specialists will want to speak with parents, teachers or other people who were familiar with you during your childhood and can give details about your childhood behavior.
Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more likely to experience complications like anxiety and depression. Untreated ADHD can cause chronic anxiety and stress, which can worsen the symptoms. Your mental health professional may recommend an experienced counselor or therapist who specializes in adult ADHD. You could also find an ADHD support group in your area and ask the members there for recommendations. You can also seek recommendations from the local hospital of your university or graduate school of psychology.
3. Ask your GP for the referral to psychiatrist
Ask your family physician, if you have medical insurance for referral to an adult ADHD specialist. adhd assessments for adults may also contact a local university with a graduate program in clinical psychology to ask for an appointment. You might have to pay a fee, but the evaluation will be closely monitored by a professional.
A psychiatrist is a medical specialist who treats brain disorders. They can prescribe medication for ADHD or other ailments. They can help you manage your symptoms with counseling and other life skills. They can also help you find an aid network. They're costly, but they have a high degree of experience in diagnosing and treating ADHD.
You may also visit nurse practitioners, which is another type of healthcare professional that can assist you with mental health issues. They are often called psychiatric mental health nurses and are able to diagnose and treat ADHD. They may prescribe medication, but not counselling.
You can also consult a neurologist. A neurologist is a specialist doctor who works in the brain and central nerve system. They can spot comorbidities and determine if other conditions present that may be causing the symptoms of ADHD such as anxiety disorder or depression. They can also arrange for MRI tests if required.
4. Ask your GP for the referral to a psychologist
You can ask 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 in your area that is familiar with the condition, and this may take some time. You could ask your friends or family if they have any specialists in the area, and you may also search the internet for specialists in adult ADHD. You can also contact an a mental health center or wellbeing centre that offers ADHD assessments, and they will likely have a list of specialists available to choose from.
The first step in getting diagnosed with ADHD is a detailed interview that explores your symptoms and the effects they affect your life as well as when you were younger. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then use the diagnostic criteria to determine if you have ADHD. If they suspect you suffer from ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or cognitive-behavioural therapist who will prescribe medication.
Many universities offer clinical psychology doctoral programs, and they have clinics that provide free or at a low cost ADHD assessments for their graduate students. You'll be evaluated by a student who is closely monitored by a professional, so you can be sure that you'll receive the most thorough evaluation possible. This is an ideal option for people who do not want to wait for a long time to receive an official diagnosis.
5. Ask your GP for the referral to a cognitive behavioural therapist
A diagnosis of ADHD requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include physical examination as well as an interview to see how the symptoms impact a person's life. It's also important to identify if the person has other mental health issues which may have the similar symptoms of ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
During the interview, the doctor will ask the person about their history of mental health and attention issues. The specialist will examine the person's academic, work and family history to determine how they function. It is important that the person being evaluated be open about their issues. They shouldn't hide their struggles due to 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 determine whether the symptoms cause disruption to the individual's life or they result in impairment in their functioning. The specialist will also discuss whether or not the patient suffers from other disorders like anxiety, depression or a learning disability.
If you are having difficulty getting an assessment on the NHS Try asking your GP for an appointment with a cognitive behavioural therapist that specializes in adult ADHD. Many of the patients who have tried to access the NHS report long waiting periods which is why a private-run assessment could be worth looking into.
6. Ask your GP for a referral to a specialist for adult ADHD
Once you've identified a specialist, speak to them about how your issues impact your life and what your goals are. For instance, if ADHD affects your relationships with family members and colleagues, you may think about therapy or classes that concentrate on communication skills. If you are prone to forgetting appointments or deadlines, speak up with your doctor and discuss the effects these issues have had on your work and your personal life.
The specialist you choose is likely to be a psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who is specialized in adult ADHD. You could also be referred to a cognitive behavioural therapist.
In addition to conducting an in-depth interview, the doctor will ask you to give instances of your symptoms and how they have affected your life. They will also ask about your personal history especially your childhood. You must have displayed symptoms of ADHD in your childhood to be diagnosed. This part of the test is challenging for a lot of adults with ADHD who don't remember or minimize their symptoms as children.
Bring any documents or other information from your work or school. This will enable the assessor to make a more accurate diagnosis. They can also ask your co-workers or supervisors to provide them with more details about your behavior. In addition, they'll look over your medical history to determine whether there are any other conditions that could be contributing to your ADHD.