Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why people struggle with things like staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also make sure to contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse is required to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect you. They may also ask to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and talk to those who knew you when you were an infant. They'll also ask if you've had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
In some cases the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could cause your symptoms.
If your healthcare professional is certain that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological tests.
The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be associated with ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also give you the spirometry test which evaluates your lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of the brain to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or a child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool prior to you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing drugs.
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 his or her symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances since these conditions may co-exist 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. Additionally, the therapist will be required to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family members could also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors are overloaded and don't bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient only once, rather than conducting an extensive evaluation. This can cause doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis it's an indication of trouble.
For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how the symptoms have affected the patient's life. The assessor will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -such as guilt over not living up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not noticed until later in life -- can be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have severe implications throughout a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to get recommendations from family, friends and doctors you trust. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. It is essential to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they affect your school, work, or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also request people who know you and your child well to fill in questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or children and for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disorders are contributing factors to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also test for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures.
Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates 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 examiner will assess how often you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and the length of time it takes to respond to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you have: Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been occurring. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70% to 80% heritable and that genes play a big role in whether you or your child will have symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will ask about your or your child's behavior across various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child be required to show six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects everyday functioning. It must last for at least six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule other conditions out. These may include other psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns and any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain.
The doctor will also examine whether the signs of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications that you or your child are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines, can also have these side effects.
The specialist will also need to determine if there's a comorbidity, which means you or your child could have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will go through all the data and come up with a diagnosis.