Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying in control, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also make sure to contact your insurance provider to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse is required to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare providers who can diagnose ADHD among adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional may also inquire about how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how they impact you. They might ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to examine your school records and talk to people who knew you when you were in your early years. They will also discuss whether you have experienced any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
In some cases, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical issues that could be causing your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
If a healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational testing.
The tests will be used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be related to ADHD like 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 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 a child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questions that you can use as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD, but a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a past history of substance abuse or depression because these issues 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 doctor will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family members could also be interviewed. Personal experience can reveal information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough evaluation. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order for a diagnosis this is a red flag.
For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the underlying emotionssuch as guilt over not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't discovered until later in life- can be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have serious implications throughout the life of a person, including relationships, career and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to get an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from family, friends 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 crucial to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with an evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how your symptoms impact your daily life and if they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also employ ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For example, you might be asked if you often miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also request those who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings; for children, it might be teachers, coaches and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to gather from a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators to determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist or. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long these problems have been affecting you for. He will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you will be affected.
The expert will be interested in how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life such as at work, home, and school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be diagnosed with diagnosed with adhd as an adult , you or your child will also need to have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects everyday functioning. It must last for at least six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, for example thyroid problems, can be a possibility. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's sleeping habits, as well as any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that could have affected your child or your brain's development.
He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects, such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids.
The specialist will also need to determine if there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child could have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make a diagnosis.