Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will need to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A typical initial evaluation will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how they affect your life. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member 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 evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might want to review your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In some instances an evaluator could recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could cause your symptoms.
If your doctor is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational testing.
Tests are used to measure levels of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD tests and quizzes that can be used to test your knowledge, before making an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to get a diagnosis is through an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and does not rush into prescribing medications.
The process can last from 2 to 3 hours and includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask 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. Additionally, the therapist will be required to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete assessment. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate for ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -like guilt for not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in life -- can be complicated. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It involves a lot paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to get suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure that they meet your needs. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your life and whether they interfere with work, school or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you a series of questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will 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 and for children, it might be teachers, coaches and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't feasible to collect through a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They might also test for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine your response to non-target and target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and remember a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will want to know what your concerns are and how long they have been present for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% hereditary. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you suffer from symptoms.
The expert will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and at school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various environments since ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must exhibit six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to exclude other conditions. Other psychiatric conditions, mood and anxiety disorders and intelle
