Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why some people have difficulty staying organized in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine the presence of ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they impact your daily life. They might suggest that you speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines don't permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They'll also ask if you have experienced any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
In certain instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory issues. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare professional is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the problem. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be associated with ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also recommend a the spirometry test, which measures the lung capacity of your. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for functional or structural problems. In certain instances your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use to test your knowledge, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to get a diagnosis is through an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and does not rush into prescribing medications.
The process can last from 2 to 3 hours and includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might affect their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about depression or substance abuse as 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. In addition, the clinician will want to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member might also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of completing a full examination. This can lead a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator could request the patient to fill out ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have affected his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not noticed until later in lifeit can be a challenge. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These traits can lead to grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships work, health, and careers.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It involves a lot of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from family, friends and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and ensure that they are a match for your requirements. It is important to find a professional who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with the evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms impact your daily life and whether they impact work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you to answer a series of questions. For example, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also request people who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults could be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches, or nannies. Personal insight can reveal information that is not feasible to collect from a survey.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder or an underlying psychosis. They may even screen for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.
Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli, and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. visit website will help the evaluators identify which type of ADHD you are: impulsive or inattentive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist or neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the problems have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% heritable. Genes play a major factor in determining if your child or you will suffer from symptoms.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school and at work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different situations because ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more documented signs of hyperactivity or inattention and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should be a possibility. The doctor will also inquire about your child or yourself's sleeping habits, as well as any accidents or injuries in the past that could have affected your child's or yourself's brain development.
The doctor will also consider whether the signs of ADHD in your children or yourself are caused by any health condition or medications that you or your child take. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines are also prone to these side effects.
Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity is present this means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make an assessment.