A mental health screening helps identify concerns that may need a fuller evaluation. A questionnaire score alone does not establish a diagnosis. Your clinician considers your answers alongside your symptoms, history and daily functioning. MedlinePlus: Mental Health Screening
What happens during a mental health screening?
You may answer questions about mood, sleep, concentration, behavior and substance use. Depending on the findings, your clinician may recommend a more detailed assessment or check whether a physical health condition could be contributing to your symptoms. Ask what each questionnaire measures and how its results will be used.
How is an adult ADHD evaluation different?
An ADHD evaluation looks at a persistent pattern of attention difficulties, hyperactivity or impulsivity and how it affects life in different settings. Clinicians also examine childhood symptoms, because ADHD begins in childhood even when it is first recognized in adulthood.
The assessment may include an interview, rating scales, school records or information from someone who knows you well. Your clinician also considers mood, medical history and other possible explanations. The selection of assessment tools depends on the clinical question; adding more questionnaires is not a substitute for interpreting the overall picture. NIMH: ADHD in Adults
What should I ask before an appointment?
- Does this appointment provide screening, a diagnostic evaluation or a different type of assessment?
- Which records or medication information should I bring?
- Who will explain the findings and discuss next steps?
- What is included in the fee, and could additional appointments or testing cost extra?
What happens after screening?
The next step depends on the findings. It may be further evaluation, a referral or a discussion of treatment options. Ask for an explanation of what the results do and do not show. This article provides general information and cannot determine your diagnosis or the care you need.
For crisis support in the United States, call or text 988. For immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
