Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD is a common mental health disorder that is generally diagnosed in childhood, but can, in some people, remain unnoticed into adulthood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there is not a singular test that can determine whether a person has ADHD; instead, ADHD is diagnosed by observing a person's behaviors and gathering extensive information on the person. Testing or evaluating for ADHD should only be done by a trained mental health professional, such as a school psychologist, a social worker, a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist.
Step 1
Refer a person to be evaluated for ADHD to a physician. The physician will test for any possible medical causes of behavioral problems such as invading other people's personal space, not following directions, not listening, being unable to remain still, being unable to focus or concentrate on one task and being easily angered. If possible medical causes, such as hearing or vision problems, are found, consult with the physician to determine if these problems are causing the behavioral symptoms rather than ADHD. If the physician addresses the medical conditions and these are found to account for problem behaviors, this would conclude the testing. But if medical causes are ruled out, or if some underlying behavioral symptoms remain following treatment, continue evaluating for ADHD.
Step 2
Collect documented reports of the person's behaviors. Ask for school and medical records. Refer to these documents to determine the person's behavior patterns over her lifetime.
Step 3
Ask those involved in the person's life to share with you their experience of the person. Possible people you might glean information from include, but are not limited to, coaches, teachers, coworkers, friends and family members.
Step 4
Observe the person yourself. Make sure that your observations occur in at least two different settings, such as the home and school. Document these behaviors.
Step 5
Compare all the information you gathered on the person to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD specified in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-IV). Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD include becoming easily distracted, not paying attention to detail, difficulty sustaining focus on one task, losing things often, forgetfulness, being disorganized, failing to finish tasks and avoiding tasks that require significant mental attention. Symptoms of the hyperactive-impulsive type include fidgeting, inability to remain still, running or climbing inappropriately, talking in excess, blurting out answers, interrupting others, inability to be quiet and invading the personal space of others. Symptoms for the combined type include a combination of six symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type. In evaluating for ADHD, determine if the person has displayed at least six of the DSM-IV-defined symptoms for at least the past six months and whether some of the symptoms were present prior to the age of 7, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. A diagnosis of ADHD requires that person displays symptoms in at least two different settings, such as home and school and that the behaviors cause significant problems in social, academic or occupational functioning.
Step 6
Check for the presence of any other mental health problems. Compare the person's behaviors to the diagnostic criteria listed in DSM-IV for mental health disorders that tend to co-exist with ADHD. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and substance abuse or dependence. Determining the presence of other mental health disorders will not change the evaluation for ADHD; instead, it will help the evaluator gain more understanding of the symptoms and prepare more specific treatment options.
