Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It explains why some people struggle to stay focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.

Diagnosis Process

For treatments (mouse click the next page) adults, a proper diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.

A detailed interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long it has been present and how they impact your daily life. They might ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire if you have had any other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

In certain instances the evaluator might suggest cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.

If a healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they will recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include blood and urine tests, medical examinations, and possibly psychological or educational tests.

Tests are conducted to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for functional or structural issues. In some cases your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be evaluated for any conditions that have similar symptoms with ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires which can serve as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can provide you with the information 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 a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. It could also involve the doctor seeking out a history of depression or abuse of substances because these issues 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. The doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family members could also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.

Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of completing a full assessment. This could lead doctors 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 that the patient complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how those symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluation will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD.

It can be a relief for some adults to finally be given an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, may be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of focus. These characteristics can have negative consequences in a variety of fields, including relationships, careers, and health.

The Tests

It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to seek suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure they're a good match for your requirements. It is important to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible.

An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms impact your life and whether they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. For example, treatments you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.

Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or children and for children, it could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.

Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also screen for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.

Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an get adhd diagnosis screening test that tests how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention to detail and remember a number of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, and the length of time it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This can help evaluators determine which subtype of adhd adult diagnosis you are whether you are inattentive or impulsive.

Follow-up

Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD assessments and provide an assessment. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The doctor will want to be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been present for. The doctor will also inquire if there is a family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genes are a major factor in whether you or your child will have symptoms.

He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different environments because ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child need to have at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders everyday functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months.

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. This could include other psychiatric disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns and any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain.

The doctor will also examine whether the signs of ADHD in your children or yourself are connected to any health issues or medications that you or your child take. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects, such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these adverse effects.

Finally, the doctor will need to determine if a comorbidity present this means that you or your child has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and then make an assessment.