ADHD Testing For Adults

Professionals who treat adults with ADHD refer many adults who are seeking an ADHD assessment. They can be licensed psychologists or therapists.


In contrast to online ADHD rating scales, an assessment by an experienced professional can yield concrete results. An evaluation typically includes an interview with a patient and one or more people who know him well.

1. History of Symptoms

During the examination an expert in health care might ask you to describe symptoms that affect your daily life. For instance, you might struggle to keep up with work or school, often lose items or have trouble focusing in class or are easily distracted by events around you. It is also essential to discuss how these problems have affected your relationships with your family and friends, because ADHD can cause difficulties in marriages, friendships and romantic relationships.

The doctor will conduct a physical exam, checking for medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. test for adult adhd or she will review your medical, psychiatric and overall health history. Additionally, the doctor will be interested in knowing your family history, as ADHD can run in families.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, children and teens must exhibit symptoms of the disorder in at least two settings like at home and at school. For adults at minimum five of the six criteria found in the Diagnosis and Statistical Handbook of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) must apply and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause impairment in functioning in multiple areas of their lives. The symptoms can't be explained by other conditions, such as depression or anxiety.

People who do not have ADHD are sometimes wrongly diagnosed due to a variety of reasons, including ignorance of the beginning of childhood and conscious exaggeration of symptoms. Some adults suffering from ADHD seek a diagnosis to gain access to medication or disability accommodation. It is essential to use a validated screen for ADHD in adulthood to reduce the likelihood of making these errors. It is also crucial to include a measure that detects false answers.

2. Medical Histories

There is no single test that can be used to diagnose ADHD and some doctors use different methods of screening adults. The majority of experts agree that a thorough clinical examination is the initial stage in any successful ADHD screening. This involves asking questions regarding family, medical and psychiatric history dating back to childhood. It also focuses on the individual's symptoms, and how they impact daily functioning. In addition to an interview, some doctors use standardized behavior rating scales and questionnaires, neuropsychological tests and other psychometric tests, such as visual or spatial, working memory and reasoning (thinking) tests.

Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders and seizure disorders can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD. A doctor might perform a physical exam to rule out these conditions. In addition, a psychiatrist will be looking for other mental health disorders that could be causing the patient's symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

A psychiatrist or psychologist might seek permission to speak with teachers, babysitters, coaches or any other individuals who have spent time with a teenager or child. This can provide a more complete view of the child and their behavior and help identify other conditions that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms.

A psychologist or psychiatrist will inquire about adults' family and personal history especially when ADHD symptoms were evident during childhood. The doctor will inquire if any family members have been diagnosed with ADHD. They will also interview the individual about their home, work and social life. This will help determine whether or not the individual is coping with stressors or battling other issues, like problems with relationships or addiction to substances.

3. Family History

People suffering from ADHD often have an history of the disorder in their family. It is highly genetically inherited, so if you or your parents are diagnosed with ADHD and you're a child, it's likely you'll also be.

You'll be asked lots of questions about your childhood, and any signs that might have occurred. It's essential that healthcare professionals are aware of any childhood struggles, as this is when the disorder usually develops. You may even be asked about any strategies you've learned over time as some people learn to conceal their symptoms as they age.

The evaluation process varies in each case, but usually it involves an in-person meeting that can last up to three hours. The clinician will ask questions that are pre-planned to increase the reliability and reduce the chance of different interviewers coming to different conclusions. For example the interviewer could inquire about the number of symptoms of the disorder you've had in the last six months.

It's commonplace to use rating scale questionnaires in conjunction with a comprehensive ADHD screen. These questionnaires are based on research comparing the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those without. These tests aren't diagnostic, but they are an important element of a complete assessment.

The doctor might also interview other people such as your spouse or family members as well as teachers or coaches who were with you in childhood. This will help your doctor gain a better understanding of your symptoms and determine if you have another mental disorder.

4. Personal Insights

One of the most crucial elements of a thorough ADHD evaluation is the clinician's interview. They conduct a well-structured and standardized interview, asking questions that are designed to collect all of the pertinent information. This approach improves reliability and reduces the possibility of different evaluators reaching different conclusions about an individual.

The evaluator would like to learn about your ADHD symptoms in the past and now as well as from childhood. They will inquire about how your symptoms affect your relationships and life. They will also ask you to rate how often you experience symptoms on a scale from never to very often. This is called the Symptom Rating Scale (ASRS) and it is available in an online version that you can use on your tablet or computer.

The healthcare professional may utilize other behavioral tests at your appointment, in addition to the standard ADHD questionnaire. The evaluator may employ a checklist, behavior scale for ADHD or other psychometric tests. They can also look for other conditions that can appear similar to or are co-occurring with ADHD like mood disorders and learning disabilities.

They can also conduct interviews with other people, like friends or family to gain a better understanding of the person's behavior. They also conduct an examination of the body and review medical records to rule out other ailments that may coexist with ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems. They could also use an examination that measures brain activity to determine if ADHD is present. This is a non-invasive method which involves placing sensors on your scalp to record electrical activity.

5. Tests

There isn't one test to diagnose ADHD. Instead healthcare professionals employ the combination of physical exams as well as behavioral tests and questionnaires. Adult ADHD tests can be conducted by psychiatrists, as well as psychologists, neurologists, and psychotherapists. They can also recommend support groups for adults with ADHD.

The first step in an ADHD assessment is to talk about symptoms with a health care professional. It's crucial to share accurate information, including whether a person is taking any medications or has any medical issues in the past. Bring any notes or journals detailing the individual's health issues.

A mental health professional might ask about a person’s family history, their environment as well as their work or school performance, and also their behavior. Patients may be asked to fill out questionnaires and checklists. They can also ask relatives, friends and co-workers who have seen the person act a certain way. It's not uncommon for the doctor to request teachers or child care workers for their opinion also.

Some doctors also use computer-based tests known as continuous performance tests to test for ADHD symptoms like inattention and the tendency to be impulsive. These tests involve the patient sitting in front of a computer screen that shows a sequence of targets that are visually visible. The test measures the patient's ability to stay focused and complete tasks, but they are controversial in some circles. Some experts believe that these tests are not beneficial and expose patients to high amounts of ionizing radiation.

Finally, some doctors may use brain scans to look for symptoms of ADHD. These tests reveal changes in the activity levels of the frontal lobes of the brain. These results aren't widely accepted and haven't been shown to improve the accuracy of a person's diagnosis.