Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why people struggle with things like staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also make sure to contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A typical initial evaluation will begin with a detailed interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also involve questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you've had any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or assessments for learning or memory issues. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may cause your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.
The tests will be used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be linked to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also recommend a a spirometry test, which will measure the lung capacity of your. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can act as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests could provide you with the information that you have ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about 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 doctor will also want to review the student's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors are overloaded and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient only once, rather than conducting an entire 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 for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. how to get a diagnosis for adhd compares the scores to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or grief for not achieving expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in the life, may be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work, and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It involves a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they are a good fit to your requirements. It is important to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment.
An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also request those who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or an underlying psychosis. They may also screen for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine how often you respond non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you are either Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how long these problems have been occurring for. The specialist will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent hereditary. Genes play a major influence on whether your child or you will suffer from symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work, and at school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different situations because ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must exhibit six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should be a possibility. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms 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 cause side effects, such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other drugs, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids.
The expert will also need to determine whether there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the data and determine the diagnosis.