https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-assessments/ ADHD Diagnostic Assessment A qualified health care professional typically psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD. Rating scales and neuropsychological tests are utilized as part of the evaluation. The first step to evaluate for ADHD is to gather data from many sources. The health professional wants to know about the symptoms at home, at school and at work. Interviews and questionnaires For an ADHD diagnosis, a doctor must interview the patient and review the patient's history and other details. For children, this usually includes the child's history of symptoms as well as their impact on work or school performance. For adults, it can include family health history, personal health history, and the results of any medical tests that may have been taken. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) released by the American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. These guidelines provide a list that a doctor needs to be able to recognize in order to determine if they have ADHD. The interview process often includes standardized questionnaires that measure ADHD symptoms. They could be narrowband or broadband scales, and they can be used to measure a wide range of symptoms or concentrate on specific subscales. Rating scales for narrowbands typically have a shorter time to finish and are simpler to score. Broadband rating scales are used to gather data for research purposes and require professional training. Certain patients will not admit to having symptoms of ADHD. This is especially relevant if they're educated or have an occupation that is high-end. Some, on the other hand, are adamant about their issues and provide convincing evidence of their challenges, such as an unusual pattern of coping. The results of the questionnaires and interviews can be combined into a single report for the doctor, who can also use other assessment tools. A