Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying in control, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also be sure to check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

The Diagnosis Process

For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine how long it has been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you to speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms.

The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

In some cases the evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.

If a healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are related to ADHD They will suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational testing.

The tests will be used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you the spirometry test which evaluates the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to check for any functional or structural issues. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are a variety of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests can alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.

This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how to get diagnosed with adhd adult it might influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about a history or addiction to drugs or depression since these problems can co-occur along with ADHD.

A good diagnostic interview will involve a discussion of the patient's symptoms and their impact, and the psychologist or psychiatrist will use a checklist designed to evaluate hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness. The clinician will also want to review the patient's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member might also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.

Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This can lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient needs to display at least six symptoms to be diagnosed adhd this is a red flag.

For adults, the evaluator may ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.

It's a great feeling for some adults to get an ADHD diagnosis. However, the underlying emotions- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life- can be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.

The Tests

Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors family members, friends and relatives. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they are a match for your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.

The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or yourself to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your daily life and if they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone around you to answer a series of questions. You may be asked if you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children may be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or parents. Personal insight can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a questionnaire.

A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or incipient psychosis. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.

Some evaluators will give your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond to non-targeted stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators to determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

Follow-up

Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are, and how long the issues have been affecting you for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80% heritable and that genetics play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.

The expert will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and school. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months.

To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleep patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain.

The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child take. The side effects of stimulant medication like those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants and certain sleep aids.

Finally, the doctor will determine if a comorbidity is present, which means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will go through all the information and come up with the diagnosis.