Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying organized in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also, check with your insurance to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will want to know how long it has been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. So, the healthcare professional will need to examine your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were a child. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, like IQ testing or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that could be creating your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
If your healthcare provider believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and even psychological or educational testing.
Tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also check 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 determine if there are any functional or structural problems. In some instances your evaluator could suggest that you or a child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD questions and quizzes that can be used as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD However, an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process could take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours and includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect their symptoms. It could also include the clinician asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances since 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 clinician will also want to review the student's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or a family member. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This could lead doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and states that a patient has to show at least six symptoms to receive a diagnosis it's a red flag.
The evaluator may 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 to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as 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. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It involves a lot paperwork and interviews as well as tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining recommendations from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Examine the credentials of the doctor and ensure that they're a good match for your requirements. It is crucial to find a doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The initial step of 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 affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For instance, you could be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses or siblings for children. It could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from a survey.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, or an underlying psychosis. They may even screen for underlying disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism.
Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures 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 remember a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you are: impulsive or inattentive.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long they have been recurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% hereditary. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you will suffer from symptoms.
The professional will want to know how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life at home, work, and school. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child be required to show at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects the daily activities. It must last for at minimum six months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be considered. In addition, the specialist will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain.
He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health condition or medications you or your child is taking. The adverse effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. this article could also be caused by other drugs, including sleep medications, antidepressants and a few sleep aids.
The doctor will also have to determine whether there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child may be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make a diagnosis.