DIVA ADHD - linked web site is an interview that is semistructured designed to improve ADHD assessment in adults. This study is aimed at assessing the criterion valid of DIVA 2.0 and its validity in conjunction with Conners Adult ADHD Diagnosis Interview for DSM-IV criteria.
Compared to the top 20 attributes, DIVA attributes that correlate strongest with diagnosis are attention deficit for both childhood and adulthood and hyperactivity/impulsivity for adults, followed by CAARS ADHD TT1 score and IOWA personality disorders evaluation.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADD/ADHD can affect every aspect of our lives from relationships and career progression to the daily tasks that make up our lives. It is essential that our ADHD assessment takes a holistic view, examining how symptoms affect all aspects of life. During your assessment, Dr Schilling will start by gathering information about your symptoms and health history. She will then conduct a DIVA 5 assessment. This is a semi-structured, structured interview that evaluates both the core symptoms and the impact of ADD/ADHD your life.
The DIVA is an interview instrument designed by psychiatrists and psychotherapists to determine the signs of adult ADHD. It has been demonstrated to be highly sensitive and precise. It is also extremely effective in identifying those with the disorder. It has the potential to raise awareness of, and the diagnosis of the condition of adult ADHD in Korea since it is the only validated semi-structured diagnostic test for adults suffering from ADHD available in the country.
A qualified clinician, typically a psychiatrist, will ask questions to determine the most prominent symptoms of ADHD. These include hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. The doctor will also look at the background of the person as well as their childhood experiences and their impact on their present behavior. The symptoms of ADHD don't appear in a flash. They develop over a period of time from childhood through teen years and into adulthood.
The DIVA can detect ADHD because it considers both the DSM-IV ADHD criteria in the early years and later in adulthood and how these symptoms affect the individual's daily functioning in five distinct areas - employment, education relations with family/partners, social activities/leisure, and self-esteem/confidence. As a contrast, other screening tools like the WURS-brief which was compared to CAADID which showed poor sensitiveness and negative predictive value.
Diagnosis
To diagnose ADHD in adults it is crucial to assess the signs and symptoms along with their background. This can be done through an extensive interview regarding childhood symptoms and a neurocognitive assessment. It is also crucial to look at the impact of the symptoms on the individual's life and work. This can be evaluated by conducting a structured interview, called the DIVA and, in some instances, asking for information from family members and friends.
The DIVA interview is a semistructured, structured interview that was originally designed for adults in the Netherlands. It has been updated to be used by adults in other countries, including Korea. This study looked at the criteria applicable to the Korean version (DIVA-5), in a clinical sample consisting of adults suffering from ADHD.
During the DIVA the doctor asks about the presence of ADHD symptoms in childhood and adulthood, as well as the time at which the symptoms onset, and the severity of impairment caused by those symptoms. The clinician will also gather a variety of sociodemographic information and ask about any psychiatric-related co-morbidity.
The MINI-S plus Version 5.0.0 and the Brief Alcohol Related Neuropsychological Impaired Screening Instrument (BEARNI), along with the Frontal Assessment Battery were used to detect psychiatric co-morbidity. Two psychiatrists with experience employed the structured diagnostic interview DIVA-5 to establish a diagnosis of ADHD. They evaluated symptoms throughout adulthood and childhood, and determined the duration of symptoms.
The sensitivity and specificity of DIVA-5 was found to be high for both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms in childhood and adulthood. This diagnostic tool was shown to have good concordance with the WURS scale and fair concurrent validity with three self-report rating instruments: the ASRS, FAB, and Sheehan's Dysfunction Inventory.
The sensitivity and specificity of the DIVA-5 was found to be high for all subtypes of ADHD in both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in adulthood and during childhood. The DIVA-5's diagnostic accuracy was found to be comparable to the accuracy of a clinical diagnoses that were made by two psychiatrists. This was in line with the sensitivity and specificity of previous screening tools, such as the ASRS and the WURS.
Treatment
If you have an undiagnosed ADHD it could significantly affect your life. It can impact your relationships, academic progress as well as your work. It can also affect the way you organize your day-to-day activities. A diagnosis can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses, and provide treatment options to alleviate your symptoms and provide coping mechanisms.
A licensed clinician (typically a psychiatrist or a psychologist) will have an organized conversation with you, using the DIVA-5 instrument to assess your current symptoms. It will include standardised questions regarding your levels of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness. It will also explore your personal history, including childhood experiences, in order to obtain a complete picture of your symptoms and the impact they have on your life.
This method is crucial for a thorough adult ADHD diagnosis. This will help us better know your symptoms and help you with your treatment.
The DIVA assessment is a highly effective way of diagnosing adult ADHD with excellent sensitivity and specificity. It has also been demonstrated to have sound criterion validity, when compared to self-report rating scales such as the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and the ADHD-Rating Scale. It has a good concordance with these scales and fair validity with Sheehan’s Dysfunction Inventory.
Unlike the more traditional methods of assessing ADHD in adults, the DIVA test is focused on identifying and discussing symptoms that are present in both childhood and adulthood, thereby increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and allowing a more accurate comparison between sociodemographic characteristics of the two groups. The DIVA evaluation also gives an opportunity to think about the effects of co-occurring conditions on the appearance of ADHD symptoms.
If your Psychologist is not able to recommend medication, it could be necessary to make an appointment with a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for further assessment and/or therapy. They can refer you to a specialist Psychologist for further in-depth evaluation of your symptoms and to assess for co-occurring diagnoses and differentials. This includes assessing co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety or depression. This will enable your Psychologist suggest a suitable treatment plan.
Getting Started
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It offers solutions to persistent problems and opens the door to effective treatment options. A thorough evaluation requires the expertise of qualified healthcare providers. The DIVA ADHD assessment, which is a structured and extensive tool, helps improve adult ADHD diagnosis accuracy by evaluating symptoms at different life stages. It also detects patterns of behavior that persist of behavior, and distinguishes between ADHD symptoms and those of other disorders which may have similar symptoms in adults, such as anxiety or depression.
In an DIVA ADHD evaluation, a clinician will use an organized interview to ask a series questions about the symptoms like hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The doctor evaluates the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms to determine how they affect the person in various settings. This information can be used to create an accurate diagnosis.
The DIVA assessment has been validated against other diagnostic tools and exhibits high sensitivity when compared to the WURS-brief, CAA-DID and an assessment by a psychiatrist. It also has high accuracy when assessing ADHD symptoms in five areas of daily functioning: work and education as well as relationships, home and family social contact; free time and leisure.
A well-validated DIVA assessment requires participation from the person being assessed as well as their closest family members and close friends. This will help build trust and strengthen the therapeutic bond, which is essential to the success of your assessment.
A psychologist or psychiatrist who has expertise in the DIVA ADHD assessment can provide an in-depth, professional report. The report will detail the findings of the test and suggest a treatment plan that is based on evidence.
Please contact us to set up an appointment if you suspect you or someone you love might be suffering from ADHD. Our doctor Kate Schilling has been trained in the use of DIVA ADHD assessments and can provide a comprehensive evaluation. She will refer you to a specialist who will develop a treatment plan. Please be aware that the recommended treatment method is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.