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How to Get an Accurate Assessment of ADHD Many adults who are undergoing an ADHD assessment may exaggerate symptoms or even fake them. According to a variety of studies (Marshall, et. and., Citation2016, Suhr, and. al., Citation2008) approximately 27% of adults who undergo a comprehensive ADHD assessment show no evidence of ADHD. Self-report ADHD behavior ratings have a high sensitivity but are not very specific. A more robust method is the clinical interview data with neuropsychological tests and/or performance-based measures. Diagnostic Criteria If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD You should seek out professional assistance. An accurate diagnosis can help you decide what treatment options are available and determine whether your symptoms meet criteria for a specific subtype of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined). The first step in getting an official diagnosis is to set up an appointment with a qualified health professional who will conduct an assessment. Your practitioner will ask you questions about your current problems and review your medical history. The doctor may also ask about your symptoms when you were a child, and then as an adult. Psychologists and psychiatrists use guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine whether a person has ADHD. These guidelines, which are known as diagnostic criteria, function as a list of symptoms. iampsychiatry demands that symptoms have been present for at minimum 6 months and result in significant impairments in at least two areas of daily functioning. Children and adolescents need to be symptomatic before 12 years of age. For adults, they must be evident from early childhood. For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must not be better explained by another mental disorder (including mood disorders, anxiety disorders dissociative disorders, personality disorders). It is essential for people who are suspected of having ADHD to discuss their concerns honestly and openly during a confidential interview with the evaluation. Based on the situation of a person it might be necessary to share personal information with the evaluator regarding the risky behavior of a person's lifestyle. It is also beneficial to seek the opinions of those who know the person well including family members and former teachers, religious and scout coaches, leaders and employers. The evaluator uses one of a variety of standard questionnaires to evaluate your symptoms. These rating scales, which are often referred to as narrow-band scales, focus on assessing the core ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These scales are based upon research that have shown these symptoms are not just “normal” behaviors. Clinical Interview The clinical interview is a crucial component of the ADHD assessment battery. It helps the therapist to identify the primary symptoms and how they affect various life domains. It also allows the therapist to determine whether other disorders are present that are similar to or worsen ADHD symptoms, for example, anxiety and depression. The therapist will look over the patient's medical, developmental, and family history to determine the impact of ADHD symptoms on their lives both in the past as well as in the present. The therapist will assess how the symptoms impact the patient's academic, social, or occupational functioning. They will also search for comorbidities that could explain the patient's symptoms, since many adults with ADHD have a high rate of comorbidity between anxiety and depression (Friedrichs, Igl, Larsson, & Larsson Citation2012). A number of studies have proven that behavioral rating scales on their own are inadequate to fully identify the presence of ADHD however they have a high accuracy and sensitivity to distinguish valid symptom presentation from non-valid. Incorporating cognitive tests into a behavioral ADHD rating scale battery dramatically improves the accuracy of diagnosis and combining these measures will give you the highest diagnostic accuracy. It is important that the therapist interview the client in a candid and honest manner. Adults suffering from ADHD might feel embarrassed or embarrassed about their condition, and consequently hide details during a clinical interview. This could seriously compromise the accuracy of the evaluation and could result in an underestimation or false negative of ADHD symptoms. The therapist should ask about the person's experiences in different environments such as school, home and at work. They should also inquire about the individual about their personal relationships, such as their relationship with their spouse or partner. The therapist should sit down with the patient as well as their loved ones to discuss the impact that the symptoms of the patient affect their lives. If this isn't feasible, then the therapist should use a checklist to document the individuals' symptom experiences. Neuropsychological tests A doctor who is performing an assessment of neuropsychological functioning could test your memory and thinking skills and other aspects of cognitive functioning. The tests can be done using a computer or pencil and paper at the doctor's. Memory tests may be included in the form of repetition of lists or numbers. They can also test your ability to read and draw pictures. Other tests measure how quickly you process information, your ability to recognize objects or people and how quickly you tell if two objects are identical (visuospatial skill). The psychologist will review your medical history in order to determine if a disease or injury is causing problems. They'll also ask about your mood and past mental health and any anxiety or depression you've had. They might interview others in your family, friends, or coworkers to get more information about your personality and experiences. A neuropsychologist might provide you with a variety of tests, and then compare your results with the responses of others who have taken the same tests. This is known as normative comparison, and it's a critical part of the assessment. This helps your doctor determine whether you're doing better or worse than participants who took the same test. If your health care professional suspects that you are suffering from a condition, the results from the neuropsychological tests will aid them in deciding how to treat it. They can identify the normal cognitive changes that are a result of aging and the actual decline in cognitive capacity that could be caused by an illness or disease, like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The results can be used to inform future treatments, like occupational therapy or speech therapy. Your therapist can use the results to determine which skills are lacking and what strengths can compensate for those weak points, so that they can focus their efforts to improve those skills. They are also useful to determine how well you're reacting to the latest pharmacological treatment or noninvasive brain stimulation technique such as transcranial magnetic stimulation or deep brain stimulation. Family History The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult for the sufferer to manage. They can strain relationships and cause problems at work or school. A diagnosis of ADHD helps to receive help. The process of diagnosing ADHD can be lengthy however it's worth it. A qualified health professional or physician can assess whether someone is suffering from the disorder by obtaining information from multiple sources. This includes symptom lists, standardized behaviour rating scales and a detailed account of past and current functioning. They can also be obtained from family members and other people who know the individual well. It is important to locate a health care professional who is experienced in of evaluating and treating adults with ADHD. You can look for an expert at a local mental health center or at your school, or even your primary care physician. You can also ask for a referral from someone you trust. The health history of the family is crucial in diagnosing ADHD. It's not uncommon for children of parents who have the disorder to be diagnosed. Your doctor will be looking for information on whether any family members have the disorder or have had treatment for it. A health professional might ask about your family's lifestyle, diet and genetic history. They'll also be interested in knowing about any serious ailments that have been suffered by family members. This will aid in determining other illnesses, like anxiety or depression. The criteria for determining ADHD is that the symptoms of the disorder result in significant impairments in at least two aspects of the individual's life. The impairment can be the loss of employment due to lack of attention or forgetfulness. It could also mean difficulties in relationships, difficulty paying bills or keeping up with homework. It could also be a problem staying focused at work, impulsive spending or reckless driving. Certain people suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms through a combination of medication as well as diet, exercise and therapy. But, if they don't receive treatment, the symptoms could continue to interfere with the daily activities of a person and create problems in their personal and family lives. The good news is that treatment for ADHD can be highly effective in both children and adults.