Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, inquire with your insurance company to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

Diagnosis Process

For adults, a proper diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to diagnose ADHD in adults.

A typical initial evaluation will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional may also ask how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how they impact you. They might suggest that you speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms.

The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might be able to examine your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have experienced any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.

In some instances an evaluator might recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms.

If your healthcare provider is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, a medical exam as well as psychological or educational testing.

The tests are designed to measure the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be related to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a the spirometry test which will measure the lung capacity of your. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some cases, the evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms similar to ADHD like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can be used as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.

The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient about ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about a history or substance abuse or depression as these conditions can co-occur 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. In addition, the clinician will be required to review school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or a family member. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.

Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out a full examination. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and states that a patient needs to display more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis it's an indication of trouble.

The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the ratings against the checklist and evaluate the severity of ADHD.

For certain adults, it may be a relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or grief for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact throughout the life of a person, including relationships, work and health.

The Tests

Finding an adhd diagnosis as an adult diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they meet your needs. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child gets an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms impact your life and if they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you often forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request people who know you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or the nannies. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from a survey.

The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They may also screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.

Follow-up

A variety of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and make an assessment. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long they have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genes are a major factor in determining whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.

He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school and at work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different environments since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be being diagnosed with adhd in adulthood with ADHD you or your child will also need to have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects the daily activities. This must last at minimum for six months.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will need to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid problems, can be a possibility. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that may have affected your child's or your own brain development.

The doctor will also consider whether the signs of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these adverse effects.

The doctor will also have to determine if there's a comorbidity, which means you or your child may be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the data and make the diagnosis.