Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some individuals struggle to stay in control 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
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will need to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might suggest that you speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider might want to review your school records or talk to 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 assessments for learning or memory issues. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.
Tests are used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked 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 offered 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 instances the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be examined for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms similar to ADHD like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to receive a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medications.
The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient the concept of ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. It could also include the clinician seeking out a history of depression or substance abuse, as those problems may co-exist 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 adult, a spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of completing a full assessment. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too fundamentalist about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient needs to display at least six symptoms to be diagnosed it's an indication of trouble.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -- such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in lifeit can be a challenge. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and a lack of concentration. These characteristics can have serious consequences in many areas such as relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to get suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and ensure that they meet your requirements. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The assessor will ask questions of your child or yourself to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your school, work, or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
getting a adhd diagnosis request people who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers or parents. Personal insight can reveal information that is not feasible to collect through a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder or an underlying psychosis. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall the geometric shapes of a set of. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
A variety of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will inquire about what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been happening. The doctor will also inquire if there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70% to 80 percent hereditary and that genes play a big role in determining if you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be considered. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other medications such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids.
Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity is present this means that your child or you is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the data and come up with an assessment.