In recent years, awareness of adult ADHD has increased with more adults seeking assessment and treatment of ADHD. Research tells us that the vast majority of adults with ADHD still remain undiagnosed and untreated. There are many reasons why a childhood diagnosis of ADHD can be missed. Some of the symptoms associated with certain presentations of ADHD can be more difficult to recognise during childhood. Some people may develop coping skills to manage the daily effects of ADHD. Furthermore, behaviours caused by ADHD can change throughout a person’s lifetime.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a manageable condition that affects approximately 5% of the world’s population. While many people consider ADHD to be a childhood disorder, ADHD is a neurobiological condition. ADHD can substantially impact almost all aspects of an adult’s life: work, home, relationships, finances and mental and physical health. Although generalized symptoms help us to diagnose the disorder, exactly how these symptoms impact the individual depends on many factors including: type, severity, other personality traits, other coexisting disorders and learned healthy or unhealthy strategies.
An appropriate medical assessment, diagnosis and comprehensive management plan is important in order to provide the most effective treatment and support for an adult living with ADHD. To date, there is no single test to determine whether ADHD is present. The assessment and potential diagnosis of ADHD uses a combination of methods and assessment tools and takes more than one visit.
An assessment of ADHD needs to consider the following:
- The presence of ADHD symptoms
- The age of onset of ADHD symptoms
- The environments where ADHD symptoms occur
- The presence of other mental health conditions
- Observations from significant others, such as parents, partners, school reports, previous assessments)
At Open Horizons Psychology the process of assessment for ADHD in adults involves:
- talking with your psychologist about your concerns, experiences, observations
- completing various self-report symptom rating scales
- seeking information from a significant other to complete symptom rating scales
- completing a structured diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults
- assessment for the presence of other mental health conditions
Following the assessment, a feedback session will be provided. This session involves discussion of the assessment findings and how they relate to you, further information about ADHD and recommendations and treatment options. A written report will be provided that clearly reports the findings of the assessment and recommendations.
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