Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying in control in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Check with your insurance company to determine 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 experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A thorough interview with your health and symptoms is usually the first step in the initial evaluation. The healthcare professional could be able to inquire about the length of time you've had symptoms and how they impact you. They might also want to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any 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 as an infant. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In some cases the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could cause your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they may recommend additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests.
The tests are designed to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals within your body that could be linked to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of your brain to determine if there are any structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases the evaluator could recommend that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to get a diagnosis is with an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medications.
The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about addiction to drugs or depression since 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. The doctor will also want to examine the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family members could also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of completing a full evaluation. This can lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient must display six or more symptoms for a diagnosis this is a red flag.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For how to get an adult adhd diagnosis , it may be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or grief for not living up to expectations or that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, can be a bit complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, career and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It involves many forms, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they're a good match to your requirements. It is important to find a specialist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the best possible treatment.
An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your work, school, or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For instance, you might be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also request people who know you and your child well to complete questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers or parents. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disorders are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also test for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that tests the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you have either impulsive or inattentive.
The Follow-Up
Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and provide an assessment. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist or psychologist or neurologist. The doctor will ask you what your concerns are and how long these problems have been occurring for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% heritable. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you be affected.
The specialist will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and at school. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different settings. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must exhibit at least six distinct signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have affected your child's or your brain's development.
The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in you or your children are related to any health conditions or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can result in side effects like stomachaches and insomnia. These side effects can also be caused by other medications like antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids.
The expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present which means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will look over the information and make an assessment.