Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals struggle to stay focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse is required to evaluate adults in order to establish a correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they impact you. They might suggest that you talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Because current guidelines do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional 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, such as anxiety or depression.
In certain instances the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you a spirometry test, which measures the lung capacity of your. They might also suggest that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural abnormalities. In some cases the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool before you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests could help you recognize that you have ADHD however a doctor’s clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can last from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes 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 substance abuse because these issues 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 look over the patient’s school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough evaluation. This can lead to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient has to show six or more symptoms to receive a diagnosis this is a red flag.
For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how the symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the underlying emotionssuch as guilt over failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not noticed until later in life -are often complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of a person’s life, including relationships, work, and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining advice from reliable doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who can diagnose adhd adults is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with the evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The assessor will ask questions of your child or yourself to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they affect your work, school, or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For example, you might be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also solicit those who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings and for children, it could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to gather from a survey.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder or psychosis that is in the beginning. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizures.
Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how does an adult get diagnosed with adhd you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes you to react to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you are either Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how long the issues have been occurring for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70% to 80 percent hereditary and that genes play a significant role in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will inquire about your or your child’s behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different situations. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity or inattention and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to exclude other conditions. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child’s or your own sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have impacted your child’s or your own brain development.
The doctor will also consider whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are caused by any health condition or medications you or your child take. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs like antidepressants, sleep medications, and certain sleep aids.
The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could 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 the diagnosis.
