What To Expect From ADHD Testing
We’re willing to bet that if you think about ADHD, you associate it with children. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is most commonly associated with adolescence, after all. However, there is a widespread misconception that ADHD can only impact those under 18.
That, once someone becomes an adult, they just slowly “get over,” having ADHD. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
ADHD is a condition that can affect men, women, children, teenagers – and, yes, adults.
Maybe you are an adult and you have always felt as if something more was going on with you. You may even ask yourself often, “Why am I like this?”
People often joke about having ADHD or their “chickens running rampant.” However, it is a very real condition that should be taken seriously. In order for you to understand what to expect from ADHD testing, let’s go over what this condition is.
Signs of ADHD
- Trouble focusing
- Impulsive behaviors or actions
- Restlessness/Hyperactivity
- Poor time management skills
- Unable to multitask
- Not being organized
- Easily overwhelmed or overstimulated
Testing For ADHD
A singular test for ADHD does not exist. A doctor can’t draw up labwork or perform a scan to determine whether or not someone is suffering from ADHD.
Typically, the process of testing for ADHD is going to generally be the same whether it is for an adult or a child. In both cases, the individual will be asked to fill out questionnaires or to do a test that is age appropriate for them.
When it comes to testing a child for ADHD, it will more than likely involve school officials who observe the child’s behavior frequently. As well as the parents/guardian of that child.
For adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made the process of testing for ADHD much more easier. On the internet, through their official website, there is a questionnaire screener that walks through different scenarios to determine if ADHD is present. It will ask general questions such as:
- Do you often forget about appointments or other obligations?
- Do you have trouble meeting deadlines at work?
- Are you finding yourself regularly procrastinating about things you know you need to get done?
- Are you easily distracted by your environment or sounds?
Next Steps
The next step to getting help with ADHD for children and adults is by working with a medical professional such as a nurse practitioner or a primary physician.
While there are tools and symptom trackers that exist online, working with a licensed professional is paramount to treating any mental health condition.
ADHD is something that is commonly misdiagnosed or can have conflicting symptoms with other disorders such as anxiety. To ensure that the best possible care and treatment plan is devised, it makes working with a professional all the more important.
The WHO self-assessment tool should just be seen as a starting point and not as a means for an official diagnosis.
Managing ADHD Symptoms
If you are an adult and have never been diagnosed with ADHD, it might come as a shock. Or, maybe, it isn’t that much of a surprise when you look back on the past.
Even if you are 30 years old and are newly diagnosed with ADHD, the good news is, it’s not too late to change the trajectory of your life with this condition.
In fact, learning to manage ADHD symptoms is more than possible. Most often, managing ADHD will be done through a combination of medication as well as therapy.
Therapy can be a powerful tool to teach someone how to learn the skills and practical tools that can help them manage their symptoms.
If you are interested in learning more about your recent diagnosis, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help with ADHD Therapy.