Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why people struggle with things such as staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will need to evaluate adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.
A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional could be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how they impact your life. They may ask you to speak with a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might want to review 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 instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests like IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other medical exams to rule out physical ailments that could be creating your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.
If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include blood and urine tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational tests.
The tests will be used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They might also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD questions and tests that you can use as a screening tool, before making an appointment with your physician. These tests can alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process could take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours and includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about a history or depression or substance abuse 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 psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to examine the patient's school records as well as speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can provide details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of completing a full assessment. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -such as guilt over not living up to expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't discovered until later in life -it can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have a significant impact throughout a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.
The Tests
It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. You can prepare by getting advice from trusted doctors, family members and friends. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they meet your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible.
An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they affect your schoolwork, work or your relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you several questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be required to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers, or nannies. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine whether intellectual or learning disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators will provide 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 computer-based test approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess how often you respond to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you are whether you are Inattentive or impulsive.
Follow-up
A variety of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD assessments and provide an assessment. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist or. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been present for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80% heritable, and that genes play a big role in determining whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
The professional will be interested in how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they occur in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders the daily activities. This must last at minimum for six months.
To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may also be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that might have impacted your child's or your own brain development.
The doctor will also examine whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are caused by any health condition or medications that you or your child take. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other medications such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids.
Iam Psychiatry will need to determine if a comorbidity present this means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the data and determine an assessment.