Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also, check with your insurance to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse will be required to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A detailed interview about your health and symptoms is usually the first step in a preliminary assessment. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long it has been present and how they impact you. They might suggest that you speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have had any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In some cases an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests like IQ testing or tests for learning or memory issues. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare professional is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD They may suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and even psychological or educational testing.
The tests will be used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also recommend a the spirometry test, which will measure the lung capacity of your. They may also recommend a brain imaging scan to check for any functional or structural problems. In certain instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for any conditions 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 that can act as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests can alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD however the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might influence their symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression 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. The doctor will also want to look over the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors are overloaded and skip this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient only once, instead of conducting an entire examination. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator may request the patient to fill out scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected his or her life. The evaluation will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the severity of ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -such as guilt over failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in lifeare often complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have a significant impact throughout an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health.
The Tests
It can be challenging and confusing to get an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. You can prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors, family members and friends. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure they're a good match for your requirements. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your school, work or social relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you a series of questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who know you and 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, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insights can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a survey.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They may also screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine which type of ADHD you have either Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been affecting you for. He will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% hereditary. Genetics play a significant factor in determining if your child or you will suffer from symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they are encountered in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child need to have at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that affects everyday functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum for six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be considered. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your or your child's sleep patterns and any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
The doctor will also examine whether the signs of ADHD in your child or you are caused by any health condition or medications that you or your child take. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can sometimes result in side effects like stomachaches and insomnia. These side effects could also be caused by other medications, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids.
Finally, the doctor will be required to determine if a comorbidity is present which means that you or your child is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and determine a diagnosis.