Claimont Health is not currently taking on new ADHD assessment appointments, but home treatment is still available. 

We understand that finding a psychiatrist can be challenging, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We are currently not taking on new ADHD assessment appointments, but we are still offering ADHD home treatment.

Our home treatment program provides you with the convenience of receiving care from a qualified mental health professional in the comfort of your own home. If you are interested in learning more contact us. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and help you get started.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

Are you the kind of person that constantly finds yourself struggling to stay focused on one task, manage time properly or organise your thoughts? If that resonates with you, you may be wondering if there’s a chance you may have ADHD as an adult. Many adults experience similar challenges and seek answers through the diagnostic process. In this blog, we will look into how ADHD is diagnosed in adults, giving you an insight into the tests and criteria that are used by healthcare professionals. By understanding what happens when diagnosing ADHD in adults, you can gain clarity and take steps towards getting the support or treatment you need. Keep reading to find out how to get tested for ADHD and how ADHD is diagnosed. 

Talking About Your Experiences

When seeking a diagnosis for adult ADHD, the first step typically involves having an open conversation with a healthcare professional. This initial assessment allows you to share your symptoms, concerns, and personal experiences. It’s crucial to reach out to a qualified healthcare provider, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or primary care physician, who can guide you through the diagnostic process. 

During the assessment, you will be asked about your symptoms, both current and those experienced during childhood. The healthcare professional will also gather information about your medical history, personal background, and any co-occurring conditions you may have. They will assess the impact of your symptoms on various aspects of your life, such as work, relationships, and daily functioning. 

Diagnosing ADHD in adults requires a nuanced approach, considering the duration and severity of symptoms, as well as potential co-occurring conditions. It’s important to understand that ADHD assessments involve more than just a single test.

By openly discussing your experiences and providing accurate information, you contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation, increasing the likelihood of an accurate ADHD diagnosis.

Answering Questionnaires

When it comes to getting tested for adult ADHD, questionnaires play a significant role in the diagnostic process. Healthcare professionals often use standardised self-report measures, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) to assess symptoms and gather crucial information. These questionnaires ask you to rate the frequency and severity of specific behaviours and experiences related to ADHD. By providing honest and accurate responses, you help healthcare professionals understand the presence and severity of your symptoms and identify patterns consistent with ADHD. 

The ADHD assessment may also involve gathering input from family members, partners, or close friends who have observed your behaviour, providing valuable insights into your symptoms in different settings.

Questionnaires not only aid in the diagnosis of adult ADHD but also play a role in tracking treatment progress. By periodically completing these measures, you and your healthcare professional can assess how your symptoms are responding to treatment. Remember, these assessments are confidential, and your honest participation is vital for an accurate understanding of your experiences with ADHD.

Input from People Around You

When diagnosing ADHD in adults, healthcare professionals often seek input from individuals close to the person being assessed. Involving family members, partners, or close friends provides valuable insights into how ADHD symptoms manifest in various settings and their impact on daily life. 

Observations from others help validate self-reports, assess functional impairments, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of symptoms. This collaborative approach strengthens the accuracy of the assessment, supports an accurate diagnosis, and promotes effective treatment planning. 

Open and honest communication with those involved is key to obtaining a well-rounded evaluation and tailoring treatment recommendations to individual needs.

When seeking a diagnosis for adult ADHD, involving people around the individual plays a significant role. Their observations, memories, and insights provide a broader perspective on symptoms, cross-validate self-reports, and assess functional impairments.

ADHD-specific Rating Scales

ADHD-specific rating scales are an essential tool in diagnosing adult ADHD. These scales assess ADHD symptoms, aligning with diagnostic criteria and providing measures of symptoms and severity. 

By capturing information about inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, these scales contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and help healthcare professionals evaluate the individual’s response to treatment over time. 

Rating scales serve as supporting documentation, enhance consistency across healthcare settings, and provide valuable insights into the presence and impact of ADHD symptoms.

By utilising rating scales, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions, tailor treatment plans, and monitor progress effectively, leading to improved management of adult ADHD.

Assessing Cognitive Functions

Neuropsychological testing plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process for adult ADHD. These tests evaluate cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and executive functions, providing objective data to support the diagnosis. 

They go beyond self-report and observation, offering standardised and quantifiable measures of cognitive performance. Neuropsychological testing aids in differential diagnosis by ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms and helps identify specific cognitive impairments associated with ADHD. The results inform treatment planning, allowing for tailored interventions to address individual cognitive challenges. 

Additionally, baseline testing and periodic reassessment monitor cognitive progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions over time.

Ruling Out Other Possibilities

Differential diagnosis is an important part of diagnosing adult ADHD, involving the careful consideration of other conditions that may share similar symptoms. Healthcare professionals assess similar conditions, gather a detailed clinical history, compare symptom profiles, and analyse diagnostic criteria to distinguish ADHD from other disorders accurately. 

Collaboration with specialists and longitudinal assessment may also be used to confirm the diagnosis. This approach ensures that individuals receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment that addresses their specific needs while ruling out other potential causes for their symptoms.

Consulting Specialists

Consulting with specialists in adult ADHD is crucial for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. These experts bring specialised knowledge and experience to the diagnostic process, offering valuable insights and guidance. They review assessments, validate diagnostic criteria, confirm the diagnosis, and provide tailored treatment plans. Working in partnership with specialists ensures individuals receive the most effective interventions and ongoing support specific to their needs, leading to improved outcomes in managing adult ADHD.

If you’re looking for an adult ADHD assessment, get in touch with our team of professionals at Claimont Health. 

At Claimont, our focus is on delivering discreet and efficient assessments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. We recognise that your busy schedule or other obligations may make it challenging to attend in-person appointments. That’s why we offer convenient online services, allowing you to access our assessments from the comfort of your own home. We prioritise accessibility and convenience to ensure a seamless experience for our clients seeking ADHD evaluations.