Adult ADHD Testing

[katespade]

Does anyone have any experience with ADHD testing as an adult? Or any other psychological testing? I have an appointment with a psychologist at the end of the month to request testing (recommended by my therapist), and I feel kind of unprepared for what I should be asking for.

How do they decide what to test for? What is the testing process like? What do I need to know to advocate for myself and make sure that I’m getting the right testing done?

For context, I’ve been therapist-diagnosed with anxiety, depression, OCPD, and PTSD.

[sometimesrunner]

I have. They basically gave me an IQ test, then asked a bunch of off the cuff questions. At the end they told me I’m just smart and have bad habits. My daughter had been tested and her testing felt my CV more thorough. She did testing one on one with a psychologist, then H and I filled out 3 questionnaires. They also gave a set of questionnaires to her teacher. At the end of her assessment they told me that just with my/h’s responses, there was a 93% chance he has adhd. When they added in her teachers responses, that number changed to 99%. All this to say, I hope your experience is more like my daughters. It felt thorough and fact-based.

[mala]

I don't have answers, but I have some commiseration. I think I'm going to be starting down the path of official diagnosis as well and I know it can be so daunting. I can tell you when H had to be re-diagnosed with ADHD* as an adult a few years ago I got a long questionnaire to fill out.


*He was diagnosed as a kid, but wanted to get a cert as an adult which he was prohibited from getting because of the ADHD diagnosis. The org who gives out the certs decided he was going to be a guinea pig and had him go through the process again, and get approval from the psychologist that he does in fact have ADHD but the doctor felt he could still get the cert. They've since changed the rules about the cert to allow those with ADHD to get it without as many hoops to jump through.

[VillainV]

I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago. If memory serves me right, I had an initial appointment where I talked about what I was experiencing. Then I did two half-days of testing. One day was a handful of written assessments that were like multiple choice/bubble sheet things. The second day was some computer tests and in-person IQ-type testing (arranging blocks to match a pattern in the test booklet), remembering long lists of words, re-telling stories with as many details as I could remember).

[loira]

I am in the process right now. My GP gave me a questionnaire to fill out, and that's pretty much it. In my province you either need to be a psychiatrist or a GP with special training to diagnose and prescribe medication. I don't know if having my GP diagnose would qualify me for employment accommodations but since I'm just looking to explore the possibility I have it and maybe try medication if so, it's fine.

My colleague also went to her GP about ADHD but her GP sent her a referral to a specialist. Maybe she didn't have the training or wasn't comfortable assessing. It seems to vary.

[Saudade]

I had it done at 31? 32? I can't remember exactly. I went to the psychologist first at the suggestion of my grad school advisor, as I was struuuuuggling. She then ordered the diagnostic testing, where I completed it with another PsyD. It was a couple hours. I can't remember exactly what it entailed, lots of different tests that were way too easy. In the end though it did say "consistent with ADHD, would benefit from medication" which was all I needed to get meds.