Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that exists for millions of people all over the world. However, even though ADHD impacts a significant portion of the population, diagnosing ADHD is a tricky, complex process, requiring careful consideration of many variables. In addition, knowing where to start the testing process can also feel overwhelming. Prior to taking the first step, undiagnosed ADHD people often spend a lot of time wondering about the things to consider before getting an ADHD eval in the first place. Let’s simplify the steps leading up to and following through with adult ADHD testing.
1. Learn about ADHD.
- The first step toward identifying if ADHD testing is right for you is to learn more about ADHD. One way to do this is to take an online ADHD quiz. While these are not enough for a diagnosis, they would be able to tell you if you’re struggling with ADHD traits.
2. Be mindful of ADHD myths.
- Some folks with very clear cases of ADHD have been quickly dismissed by others who have said they can’t have ADHD for some reason unrelated to the diagnosis. Knowing some common ADHD myths can help ensure you can tease out facts from fiction. Some common ADHD myths include:
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- You can’t have ADHD because you’re successful.
- You could never have ADHD because you graduated college.
- You simply can’t have ADHD because you did well in school.
The reality is, many people with ADHD can be outwardly successful and achieve great things in life, despite struggling daily with ADHD traits.
3. Find an ADHD specialist.
- If you’re concerned about undiagnosed ADHD, connecting with a current therapist or primary care doctor is a start. Most of the time, that person will refer you to an ADHD specialist. This is because ADHD is so nuanced that it often takes a specialist to distinguish if focusing issues are a result of ADHD or something else (e.g. anxiety, depression, etc.).
4. Book an initial consultation call.
- It’s common practice for an ADHD specialist to offer a consultation call before scheduling ADHD testing. Because ADHD testing is so nuanced and complex, it can be helpful to learn a little bit about the testing process to know what to expect from that specialist. An ADHD specialist will likely also want to hear more about you and discuss the types of focusing issues you’ve been experiencing. Prior to the call, it can help to jot down some real-life examples of ADHD symptoms to share with the specialist.
5. Understand what is included in ADHD testing.
- No single test or quiz can determine an accurate diagnosis of ADHD, so an ADHD eval often starts by administering multiple psychological questionnaires. Next, testing will include a thorough diagnostic interview to learn more about you, your familial health history, and the current concerns you’re experiencing. After your interview, you’ll complete objective neurological testing to measure your attention span and impulse control, which helps to identify if you have focusing issues related to ADHD (rather than one related to another reason). All in all, the ADHD testing process usually takes about three hours, including a comprehensive feedback session.
6. Prepare for your scheduled ADHD test.
- You know yourself better than anyone. So when it comes to things to consider before getting an ADHD eval, it is important to collect your thoughts about what types of ADHD symptoms have been going on and when they started.
7. Get ready to hear your diagnosis.
- No one can be fully ready to hear they have undiagnosed ADHD. While some individuals feel relief, others feel frustration that ADHD was overlooked for so long. Whatever the case, an accurate ADHD diagnosis is likely to make a person’s life make a lot more sense.
8. Diagnosed ADHD: where to go from here?
- An accurate ADHD test will not only identify if you have ADHD, it will also help identify the type of ADHD and the severity level of ADHD. The accuracy of the diagnosis will guide treatment recommendations, which often include some combination of ADHD therapy, psycho-education (learning more about ADHD), and/or medication.
- With proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals with ADHD can learn not to be held back by struggles with focus and self-control. Rather, effective ADHD treatment helps ADHDers not only learn to cope, but to tap into their unique potential to build the lives they want.
Begin Adult ADHD Testing in Columbus, Ohio
You don’t have to live your life feeling scattered without knowing why. An ADHD eval can help you find answers. Our Columbus, OH counseling practice has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD Treatment. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone call.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling scattered. Start getting things done.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD testing is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services including ADHD testing and ADHD treatment. As an adult with ADHD, we know you may also benefit from ADHD counseling, anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info!
