https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-assessments/ ADHD Diagnosis Adults can be more difficult to identify than children. A consultation with an ADHD expert is the first step in obtaining getting a reliable diagnosis. You must bring any medical or academic documents to your appointment. It is also beneficial to bring rating scales and interview transcripts that provide information regarding your symptoms. Signs and symptoms A doctor will conduct a physical examination and interview you to determine whether ADHD is present. The examiner may ask questions about the person's family history and childhood, and use checklists to document symptoms. The evaluator will also review the records of work and school and may wish to speak with teachers or other people who interact with the person. The evaluator will use the official lists of symptoms for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity to determine whether the person meets diagnostic criteria. Those criteria are that the person has several symptoms that last for at least 6 months and that the symptoms occur in more than one setting -- such as at home, work or school. The evaluator may also be looking for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety or a thyroid problem. Adults will be assessed to determine the severity of their symptoms and the impact they have on social or work life. The evaluator can also ask the person how they feel about their symptoms and if they interfere with their daily life. Many people with ADHD are unable to remember when their problems began. Because of this, the specialist will usually interview someone who is familiar with the person for example, an adult sibling or spouse for an adult, or an educator or parent for the child. The examiner may use checklists to evaluate adults, as well as a list with the behaviors that children exhibit. In contrast to the past, the current diagnostic guidelines indicate that an adult shouldn't be diagnosed with ADHD in