Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It explains why some people struggle to stay in control and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will need to assess adults adhd diagnosis in order to establish a correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine adhd private diagnosis in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you've had symptoms and how they affect you. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. So, the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were an infant. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could cause your symptoms.
If the healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, medical examinations, and possibly psychological or educational tests.
The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be associated with adhd who can diagnose, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural abnormalities. In some cases your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for disorders that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used as a screening tool prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests could alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD, but the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about 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 doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can reveal information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough examination. This could lead a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.
The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the ratings to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -- such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or the grief that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life- can be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact throughout the life of a person, including relationships, work and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It involves many forms, interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure they meet your needs. It is essential to find a specialist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your school, work, or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or children and for children, it might be teachers, coaches, nannies or daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal information that is not feasible to collect from a survey.
The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disorders are contributing factors to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also screen for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify the type of ADHD you have whether you are inattentive or impulsive.
Follow-up
Several kinds of mental health professionals can provide ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long they have been happening. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genetics play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will have symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in how to get adhd diagnosis in adults your your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home and at school. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child will also require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that affects the daily activities. This must last at least six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. These may include other psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that might have affected your child's or yourself's brain development.
The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in you or your children are related to any health conditions or medications you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines, can also have these side effects.
Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity is present this means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review all of the information and determine the diagnosis.