Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It is the reason why people have issues like staying focused, following directions and being organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to identify ADHD among adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also want to speak to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions regarding your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder was present in childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will want to look over your school records and talk to people who knew you when you were an infant. They'll also ask if you've had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
In some cases an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests, like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They may suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include blood and urine tests, a medical examination as well as psychological or educational testing.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a a spirometry test, which measures the lung capacity of your. They may also recommend that you undergo a brain scan to check for functional or structural abnormalities. In some instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a physician. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to make a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing drugs.
This process can last between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about any history of substance abuse or depression as these problems can co-occur along 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 clinician will also want to review the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or family member. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag when the doctor is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how those symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluation will then compare the ratings against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to finally get an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have serious implications in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, work and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to get an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. 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 a doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your schoolwork, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. For instance, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask those who know you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings for children. It could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disabilities are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder or incipient psychosis. They may also screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators will offer you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how often you respond to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what the issues you are facing and how long these problems have been affecting you for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70% to 80% heritable and that genes play a significant role in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
The professional will want to know how your or 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 various settings since ADHD symptoms differ in different settings. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must display six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least six months.
To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they will need to exclude other conditions. This could include other psychiatric disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have affected your child's or your own brain development.
He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health issues or medications that you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication like those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants and some sleep aids.
Finally, the doctor will be required to determine if a comorbidity present which means that your child or you is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make a diagnosis.