Adult Testing for ADHD

A specialist will want to know about your childhood and your history of symptoms. This is because current diagnostic criteria emphasize that ADHD must be present from childhood.

Your specialist may want to use a few different adult ADHD self-assessment tools during your evaluation. adhd test are short questionnaires that ask you to rate your own symptoms on a scale of "never" to "very often." You can also find online versions of these assessments.
Assessment

When an adult is having problems with their job, relationships or school performance, a medical professional may suggest that they have ADHD. Many people are surprised to hear this because they didn’t know they had ADHD as a child, or their symptoms have only recently become severe enough to warrant seeking help. It can be challenging for adults with ADHD to obtain a diagnosis because of the stigma that surrounds mental health issues, and medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone with ADHD looks like.

A thorough ADHD assessment begins with a face-to-face interview where the specialist will discuss the person’s symptoms and how they affect their life. They will ask about the history of the symptoms, as well. It is helpful if the person being assessed can bring in old school records or talk to parents or teachers who knew them as children. This is because current diagnostic guidelines say that a diagnosis of ADHD cannot be confirmed in adults unless the ADHD traits (symptoms) were present from childhood.

The specialist will also review the person’s symptoms against the DSM V criteria for ADHD. They will ask questions about the person’s inattention and hyperactivity and whether these symptoms cause problems in several settings, like work, home and school. They will also ask about other disorders that can overlap with ADHD, such as mood disorders or thyroid and seizure conditions.

For adults who are married or living with a partner, it is often beneficial for the clinician to interview them together, as they may have different perspectives on their symptoms and how they impact each other’s lives. This is especially important if the non-ADHD partner has been struggling with these issues for a long time.

The specialist will then administer various rating scales that ask about the person’s symptoms and how they affect them. These usually include checklists that look for inattention and hyperactivity and questionnaires that examine other issues, such as depression and anxiety, or learning disabilities. In some cases, the specialist may also conduct a psychological evaluation or psychoeducational evaluation. These are more comprehensive and involve cognitive testing (IQ), academic tests, memory, emotional and executive functioning assessments and sometimes interviews with loved ones.
Psychological Testing

The process of diagnosing ADHD in adults involves several types of psychological tests. These are designed to evaluate intelligence, memory and attention, language, and executive functioning. They can also be used to help rule out other conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms of ADHD, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression or substance use disorder.

An important part of the ADHD evaluation is an interview with the person being evaluated. They should be encouraged to discuss their symptoms openly and honestly, and not hold back due to fear of judgment or embarrassment. This can help the doctor understand how these symptoms affect their day-to-day life and work performance. The doctor will review the patient’s medical history, family history, and psychiatric history to help determine whether there are any conditions that could be contributing to their symptoms.

During the interview, the doctor will ask questions about the person’s problems at school or on the job and how they affect their daily life. They will review the person’s academic and behavioral history, their relationship with their significant other, and their use of medications and alcohol. They will also look at any past diagnostic evaluations they have had.

In addition to an interview, many mental health care professionals will conduct one or more standardized ADHD rating scales. These questionnaires are based on research comparing behaviors of people with ADHD to those of those without the disorder. They are not considered diagnostic on their own but can be useful for guiding the evaluation and increasing the confidence in the evaluator’s impressions.

Psychological testing for adult ADHD can also include broad-spectrum test that screen for other psychiatric disorders and general cognitive functions, such as vocabulary and motor skills. These are often ordered if the doctor suspects that the patient has other disorders, such as mood or obsessive-compulsive disorders, which can cause symptoms of ADHD.


The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Symptoms must be present in two or more settings, like home, school and work, to be diagnosed as ADHD. They must be debilitating and interfere with a person’s life to qualify for the diagnosis.
Behavioral Tests

Behavioral tests evaluate a person's abilities and social development. They may also look at the impact of ADHD symptoms on a person's work, school and family life. Psychological testing can help reduce stigma and increase understanding of ADHD and its effects. It can also be a useful tool for families, schools and employers when explaining ADHD to others.

The first step in testing for ADHD is to interview the person involved. This can be done in person or over the phone. The doctor will ask questions about the person's history with ADHD, including how it has impacted their academic and professional performance, relationships with others and their medical and family history. The doctor will also ask about if there are any other mental health conditions that might co-occur with ADHD, such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse.

Other forms of behavioral testing can include rating scales and questionnaires. These are generally filled out by a person close to the individual, such as a parent or teacher. The questions are usually based on common ADHD symptoms like problems with concentration, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Broad-spectrum scales can help doctors assess whether the person's symptoms might be caused by something else, like anxiety or depression.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have trouble in two different settings (home, school and the workplace). The symptoms must also be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and can't be explained by another condition. This can be hard to determine, especially in adults who are struggling with the symptoms as an adult.

If the results of the interview and the behavioral tests are consistent with ADHD, a doctor will then perform a physical exam. They will check for health conditions that might cause similar symptoms, such as vision and hearing issues and thyroid disease. They will also review any old school or test records that can help them identify if the symptoms started in childhood.

It's important to find a healthcare professional who has a good track record with treating adults with ADHD. They should be willing to share their training and experience with the disorder. If they are reluctant to do so, it's best to seek a different professional.
Medical Tests

For adults who feel like their ADHD symptoms are holding them back, getting a proper diagnosis is crucial. A diagnosis can make the difference between thinking you're lazy or stupid and knowing that your problems are caused by a disorder you can learn to manage.

The first step in the process is a thorough interview by a qualified mental health professional. The professional will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they've affected your life, including at school and work, in your relationships with family and friends and in your daily activities. They'll also want to know about your history of medical and psychiatric problems and any other issues that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

You'll be asked about your family history, especially if any first-degree relatives have been diagnosed with ADHD. Then the professional will administer some of the standardized tests that are commonly used to diagnose ADHD, such as symptom checklists and behavior rating scales. In addition, the doctor may give you a medical exam and a psychological evaluation to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.

During the interview, the doctor will review your personal, family and medical history from childhood through the present. He or she will consider the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to see if they apply to you. If you have any records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations from school, bring them with you to the appointment.

If you're having trouble finding a psychologist who specializes in ADHD evaluations, ask your physician for a referral or call a university-based hospital or medical school to find out if they have anyone on staff. You can also call an ADHD support group in your area to ask for recommendations, or look in the online directory of your insurance plan. Many people who have ADHD find that their symptoms are easier to manage once they get a proper diagnosis, and it can be a relief to know that your troubles aren't due to laziness or a lack of intelligence.