Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying organized, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse will need to evaluate adults in order to establish a correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare providers who are able to determine the presence of ADHD in adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might also want to speak to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a kid. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
In certain instances the evaluator might suggest cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
If a healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they will recommend further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological tests.
Tests will be used to measure levels of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool before you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests can alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. how to get diagnosed with adhd may also ask about any history of substance abuse or depression as these conditions 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. The psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to review the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family members could also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient one time rather than completing a complete examination. This could lead to a confusion about the diagnosis. If a doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient needs to display at least six symptoms for a diagnosis this is a red flag.
For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected his or her life. The evaluator compares the scores with the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or grief for not achieving expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, may be complicated. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of focus. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It involves lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by getting advice from trusted doctors family members, friends and relatives. You must also research the doctor and their qualifications to ensure they're a good match to your requirements. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone around you to answer a series of questions. For instance, you might be asked if you frequently miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also solicit people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or the nannies. Personal experience can reveal information that is not feasible to collect from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge the way you react to non-target and target 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 test examines the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want to be aware of your concerns and how long the problems have been occurring. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genes play an important influence on whether your child or you suffer from symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your life at home, work, and at school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child be required to show six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders the daily activities. The symptoms must last for at least six months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid problems, can be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that could have affected your child's or your own brain development.
The doctor will also consider whether the signs of ADHD in your children or yourself are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can sometimes result in side effects like stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids.
Finally, the doctor will be required to determine if a comorbidity is 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 an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make an assessment.