Let’s say that Susie is a 10-year-old girl who has been experiencing a lot of anxiety lately. Her parents have noticed that she’s been worrying excessively about things like school and social situations and that she’s been having trouble sleeping and eating. They take her to a mental health professional for an evaluation. Here’s how the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) might come into play:
- When Susie arrives at the mental health clinic, she is greeted by a friendly clinician who explains that she’ll be asking Susie some questions to learn more about her feelings. The clinician tells Susie that the questions might feel like a conversation and that taking her time answering is okay.
- The clinician begins the ADIS interview by asking Susie some general questions about herself, such as her age and grade in school. She then asks Susie about her anxiety symptoms, such as whether she often feels worried or scared or has any physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms.
- As the interview progresses, the clinician asks more detailed questions about Susie’s anxiety, such as whether she has any specific fears or worries and whether her anxiety affects her ability to do things like go to school or hang out with friends.
- The ADIS interview also assesses for the presence of other psychiatric disorders, so the clinician asks Susie some questions about her mood and behavior. She asks whether Susie has ever felt sad or down and has any attention or hyperactivity problems.
- After the interview is complete, the clinician uses the information she gathered to make a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. She explains the diagnosis to Susie and her parents and discusses possible treatment options such as therapy and medication.
The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) helps Susie and her family better understand her anxiety symptoms and how they can be treated. By using a structured interview to gather information, the clinician is able to make an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate recommendations for treatment.
In conclusion, the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) is a valuable tool for assessing and diagnosing anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. Using a structured interview to gather information about an individual’s symptoms, the ADIS helps clinicians make accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans. For kids with anxiety disorders, Goally’s fun apps and tools, like digital visual schedules and AAC, can complement treatment and help build life and language skills.
