Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why people struggle with issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized.

Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to see if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.

The Diagnosis Process

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

A typical initial evaluation 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 present and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask to talk to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms.

The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and talk to people who knew you when you were a child. They may also inquire if you have experienced any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.

In certain instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, like IQ testing or assessments for learning or memory issues. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.

If your healthcare provider believes that your symptoms are related to ADHD They will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological testing.

The tests are designed to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also suggest a a spirometry test, which evaluates your lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural issues. In some cases your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined 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 questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests could provide you with the information that you suffer from ADHD however a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. It could also involve the clinician asking about a past history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems 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 want to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. 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 rather than completing a complete evaluation. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have affected his or her life. The assessor will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD.

It's often a relief for some adults to finally get an ADHD diagnosis. However, the emotions that accompany it -such as guilt over failing to live up to expectations, or the grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life -it can be a challenge. The impulsivity and inattention that are typical of ADHD can have severe implications throughout the life of a person, including relationships, work and health.

The Tests

It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by getting recommendations from trusted doctors, family members and friends. You should also research the physician and their qualifications to ensure they are a good fit to your requirements. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible.

The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The assessor will ask questions of your child or yourself to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms impact your life and whether they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also solicit those who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings for children. It could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to obtain through a questionnaire.

Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism and seizures.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and remember geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes you to respond to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluators to determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

Follow-up

Several kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD assessments and provide a diagnosis. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor 9326527 will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been occurring for. The specialist will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable and that genetics play a significant role in whether you or your child will have symptoms.

He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home and at work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child be required to show at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders everyday functioning. It must last for at least six months.

To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed such as anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. 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 impacted your child's or yourself's brain development.

He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health issues or medications that you or your child takes. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these adverse effects.

Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity present which means that your child or you is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or 9326527 eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will look over the information and make the diagnosis.