Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying focused and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also make sure to contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A detailed interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is often the first step in the initial assessment. The healthcare professional will also want to know how long it has been present and how they impact you. They might also want to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and talk to those who knew you as a child. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In some cases the evaluator may recommend cognitive tests for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that may be the cause of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational testing.
Tests are used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also examine 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 your brain to look for functional or structural problems. In some instances, the evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms similar to ADHD like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD questions and tests that you can use as a screening tool before scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.
This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might affect his or her symptoms. It could also involve the doctor asking about a history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems can co-occur 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 need to look over school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, instead of conducting an extensive evaluation. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted his or her life. diagnosis adhd adhddiagnosis compares the scores to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to finally receive an ADHD diagnosis. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or sadness for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be a bit complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can lead to grave consequences in a variety of areas, including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
It can be challenging and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they meet your needs. It is crucial to find a doctor who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like 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 usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you often miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with your child or you to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses or children; for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a survey.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or an underlying psychosis. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators will offer you or your child an ADHD screening test that tests how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and how long it takes you to react to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which subtype of ADHD you have whether you are Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as psychologist 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 about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80% heritable. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you experience symptoms.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your or your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home and at school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least six months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, may also be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health issues or medications that you or your child is taking. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can sometimes result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs like sleep medications, antidepressants and some sleep aids.
The doctor will also have to determine if there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child may be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review all of the data and determine a diagnosis.