ADHD Testing for Adults

As people in our country have become more aware about ADD and ADHD, it is fairly common for adults to suspect that they may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder because they recognize the symptoms in themselves. For example, if you are easily distracted, impulsive, quick tempered, anxious, and chronically late or forgetful, you may be concerned that you have ADHD. Testing for the disorder is important, especially if the symptoms are severely affecting your interpersonal relationships as well as your employment. While there is no single ADHD testing method for doctors to use for diagnosis, experts believe that speaking with you and your family can give them some insight as to whether you have ADHD.

If you have not gone to your physician for a general checkup for a while, the first step in ADHD testing may include a standard physical examination. The next step of ADHD testing basically involves getting a patient history from you; speaking with your spouse or significant other to learn about your family's health and behavioral history; and giving you a clinical assessment using standardized behavioral rating scales or questionnaires. After this stage of ADHD testing is completed, physicians typically base your diagnosis on the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," (aka DSM-IV) from the American Psychiatric Association.

The DSM-IV is a manual that most physicians use to evaluate patients who are at risk of having ADHD or any other behavioral disorder. The DSM-IV manual used in ADHD testing requires that patients meet two sets of criteria which focus on inattentiveness and hyperactivity. You must have experienced at least six of the symptoms for the past six months in each list to be diagnosed with ADHD. The first list of criteria includes:

If you've experienced at least six of the first set of criteria in the ADHD testing, your doctor will move forward to the second set of criteria:

Your physician will evaluate your ADHD testing answers in conjunction with your medical history, behavioral history, and physical examination to come up with a fair diagnosis. If you are indeed suffering from ADHD, don't panic; there are numerous prescribed and alternative medications you can take to help control your symptoms.