There are many reasons why ADHD cannot be diagnosed by quizzes or questionnaires. An ADHD Test needs to determine that:
• A sufficient number of ADHD symptoms are present
• There is evidence of ADHD symptoms prior to the age of 12
• These symptoms are pervasive and cause significant impairment and problems in at least 2 areas of a person’s life
• The symptoms are not better explained by another condition
• The symptoms persist over time, for example that they are not episodic and caused by periods of anxiety or stress or sleep deprivation edit it.
Therefore an extensive interview with the person having the ADHD Test is needed in addition to self-report questionnaires.
ADHD as a child?
If possible, it is also helpful for the ADHD Test to involve someone who can provide information about the person’s childhood as well as how they are in the present as an adult. This person should be at least 7 years older than the person being assessed and is often a parent. If documents about childhood are available, such as school reports or assessment reports from when the individual was a child, then these should also be reviewed as part of the ADHD Test
ADHD or something else?
One of the criteria for diagnosing ADHD is that the symptoms are caused by ADHD and are not better explained by another mental or physical condition. Therefore an ADHD Test needs to be done by a psychologist or other professional who has a very thorough understanding and a wide range of clinical experience of different mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions and an awareness of physical illnesses which might generate symptoms which could be mistaken for ADHD. For example, some symptoms which may be caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as hypervigilance, physical restlessness and agitation and difficulties with concentration, could be mistaken for ADHD. Many people with Autism have difficulties with some aspects of executive function, such as planning, organisation, beginning tasks and managing routines. An ADHD Test must differentiate between difficulties which may be caused by ADHD and those which could caused by Autism or even undiagnosed Autism.
ADHD and something else?
In addition, there is the complication that the adult being assessed may have several of these conditions. So during an ADHD Test, the assessor must determine whether someone’s executive function difficulties may be caused by Autism or ADHD, or whether a person may have both Autism and ADHD. Even if an assessor is not part of a multi-disciplinary team, he or she should have access to colleagues who can provide specialist consultation when necessary, for example to explore whether someone may have Autism or a Learning Difficulty or a particular physical illness which could account for their symptoms.
To discuss an online ADHD Test
My name is Jenny Arthern, I am an HCPC Registered Psychologist and an ADHD specialist. If you are wondering whether you have ADHD and would like to be tested for ADHD, I would be happy to help. Click below to discuss an online ADHD test.
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