Tests For ADHD in Adults
A diagnosis of ADHD may bring relief and perhaps even hope. You'll see that your struggles are not due to character flaws or incompetence but an illness that is medical.
Doctors evaluate adults for ADHD by asking standard questions, interviewing the individual and other people close to him, using questionnaires or checklists and also conducting cognitive and physical tests.
Psychological tests
Psychologists evaluate ADHD in adults with a variety of tests, including neuropsychological tests and rating scales. These tests are used to collect more information about the individual being evaluated and their symptoms, and can be used in conjunction with interviews or direct observations to determine the diagnosis.
A psychological test for ADHD can be a good idea for adults who suspect they may be suffering from the disorder. It's a chance to validate those suspicions and get research-based solutions/interventions for addressing the problem. It also opens up the possibility of accommodations in the workplace or at school which could help people lead more productive lives.
Your doctor will start by asking you a series of standard questions about your behavior and habits. They'll also ask you if you've had these problems since childhood, because to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must have begun in the early years of your childhood. Your healthcare provider could also speak with your family members, spouse or your acquaintances about how they view you and how you conduct yourself. The interview can be extremely emotional, and it's essential to talk about things openly, without avoiding the topic since you don't want to be judged or embarrassed.
You'll also undergo a medical examination and an analysis of your blood. They'll then determine if you have any medical conditions which may be causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
After they've gathered this information, your doctor will use the American Psychiatric Association guidelines to determine if you have inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined type ADHD. They'll also be looking for other mental health issues that could be co-occurring with ADHD, such as depression or anxiety. They may also use an instrument called TOVA, which is a computerized assessment that detects ADHD symptoms using two simple geometric figures. You are asked to click a microswitch on each image.
Neuropsychological tests, like the Continuous Performance Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test are used to measure the range of cognitive abilities. They can help your doctor determine if your ADHD symptoms are due to this condition or another.
Medical Tests
Medical tests are a valuable part of the examination for ADHD in adults. Your doctor will usually perform one or more of the specialized Neuropsychological tests to identify any abnormalities that could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms and could adversely affect your daily life. These tests cover memory, executive function processing speed, and executive function.
In addition to these specialized tests, your physician will likely conduct a thorough clinical interview to collect a more comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms. They'll likely ask questions about your family history of ADHD as well as your professional and personal relationships and performance and any other mental health conditions that may have contributed to your ADHD symptoms, such as mood disorders or addiction to substances.
The interview will also discuss the physical effects of your ADHD symptoms on your body and your daily routine. The interview should last about an hour or longer based on your particular situation. Your healthcare practitioner will use a variety of rating scales to evaluate your inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and may interview people who know you well, such as spouses, family members or friends, to gather more information and corroborate answers from you.
Adults have a harder time diagnosing ADHD than children, because the DSM-V symptom criteria is designed to identify children. Your healthcare practitioner will also ask you to describe your childhood behaviors to help in being able to determine if you have experienced ADHD symptoms during your childhood.
The Stroop test, Wisconsin card sorting and continuous performance tests are some of the neuropsychological tests that can be used to determine ADHD in adults. These tests are intended for detecting deficits in the neurocognitive processes underlying the symptoms of ADHD. They can lead to an accurate diagnosis.
Your healthcare practitioner will also use broad-spectrum scales to screen for other psychiatric problems that could be co-occurring with your ADHD like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. They will also assess your cognitive performance and may request tests for intelligence to determine your intellectual ability. They might even request an X-ray of your head to see how your brain functions and to rule out other physical causes for your symptoms such as neurological issues or head injuries.
Brain Scan
There are currently no tests in the medical or laboratory that can diagnose ADHD in adults. A licensed mental health professional is able to diagnose an individual based on the detailed description of their symptoms. They include clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and family physicians. You can also request an appointment from your primary care physician to one of these professionals. Many health insurance plans list specialists by specialization and help those who are part of those programs find a health care professional who can perform an assessment for ADHD.
The evaluation starts with a thorough discussion with the clinician. This involves a review of the person's family history and personal history, and also their current symptoms. The clinician will use psychiatric guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to guide the evaluation. The doctor may also consult with the spouse or significant other of the patient and use standardized behavior ratings scales to determine the severity of the symptoms.
Adults with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD are likely to face a broad range of challenges that can cause problems in their relationships, at work and with finances. They may have difficulty managing their responsibilities in a timely manner, keeping track of appointments and following medical instructions. They are prone to be impulsive in their spending and could struggle to maintain good credit. In some instances these problems can cause anxiety or depression, as well as an uneasy feeling of self-esteem.
Certain researchers believe that untreated ADHD can lead to the imbalance or lack of certain neurotransmitters. These include dopamine and norepinephrine. These are chemical messengers that regulate the state of mind and attention.
Although it is not clear how the condition develops, some research indicates that children with ADHD might be more likely to be affected by a lack of attachment in the beginning or traumatizing experiences in childhood and infanthood. Some studies have suggested that women are more likely to have ADHD than men, and that differences in the way the condition affects people differ based on race, gender and ethnicity.
Self-Assessment
You can test yourself online and complete rating scales to determine if you are at risk of ADHD. The only way to be sure is to consult a medical professional to conduct a thorough assessment. It will likely involve psychological tests and a physical examination, as well as one or more rating scales. A comprehensive evaluation should also include a discussion on the individual's family and personal history, as well as their issues related to their lifestyle and work.
For adults with adhd test of ADHD the patient must be exhibiting symptoms in two or more environments--such as school, home, or at work that affect the daily activities. The symptoms must be present for at least six months. The symptoms must also be a result of by a neurological condition, and not by another mental health condition like anxiety or depression. The symptoms must also not be caused by an addiction to drugs or a medical condition such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders.
A comprehensive evaluation should contain an established behavior rating system that compares the person’s behaviors to those of people with ADHD. These ratings are based on self-report, therefore it is essential that the person being assessed and their significant others (like parents, spouses, siblings and close friends) also complete the rating scales. Many clinicians also have patients and significant other(s) rate each other separately to obtain a more objective set of information.
Another standardized rating tool is the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Scale for Adults (ASRS) It is a 40-item survey that assesses different symptoms of adult ADHD. Some of the symptoms this instrument addresses are being easily distracted, having difficulty following through with tasks and having trouble keeping the time and appointments. There are several websites that provide interactive versions of the ASRS which can be completed on tablets or computers.
Psychotherapy, or mental health therapy, can help with the symptoms of ADHD. A therapist might suggest strategies or adjustments to help you stay focused and on track, including alarms or a daily calendar or smartphone apps which keep the track of deadlines. In certain instances, doctors may prescribe medications that are recognized to enhance executive functions in the brain.