Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It explains why some people have difficulty staying organized, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will need to evaluate adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect you. They might suggest that you speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Because current guidelines do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In certain situations the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical ailments that could be creating your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure problems.
If your healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological tests.
Tests will be used to measure levels of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some cases the evaluator could recommend that you or your child be tested for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a physician. These tests may 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 could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about a history or substance abuse or depression as 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. The doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family members could also be interviewed. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This could lead a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how those symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluation will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator for ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or sadness for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in the life, may be complicated. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can lead to serious consequences in many areas such as relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. You can prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the physician and their credentials to make sure they're a good match to your needs. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect your life and if they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator can also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also request people who know you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. how to get diagnosed with adhd could be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches, or the nannies. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or an underlying psychosis. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizures.
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 computerized test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and recall 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 will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have: inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how long they have been occurring for. He will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80 percent heritable. Genes play a major factor in determining if your child or you be affected.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different situations because ADHD symptoms differ in different settings. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out any other conditions. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
The doctor will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are related to any health conditions or medications you or your child take. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants and certain sleep medications are also prone to these side effects.
The expert will also need to determine whether there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child may have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the information and make an assessment.