Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. This is why some people have issues like staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized.
Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also make sure to inquire with your insurance company to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they affect you. They might also suggest that you talk to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other people who were with you as a child. They will also ask whether you've had any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
In some cases, the evaluator will suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical issues that may be causing your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.
If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are related to ADHD, they will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, medical examinations and, possibly, psychological or educational testing.
The tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also give you the spirometry test which measures your lung capacity. They may also recommend a brain imaging scan to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some cases the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
This process could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect their symptoms. It may also include the clinician seeking out a history of substance abuse or depression because these issues are often co-occurring 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. Additionally, the therapist will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family members could also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete assessment. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator may request the patient to fill out ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how the symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not meeting expectations or that the disorder was not noticed until later in life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have severe implications throughout an individual's life, such as relationships, career and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It involves lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best way to prepare is to get recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their professional credentials to make sure they're a good match to your requirements. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms impact your life and whether they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who know you and your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or nannies. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey.
The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism and seizures.
Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based 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 targeted stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine which type of ADHD you are whether you are Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
A variety of mental health professionals can provide ADHD evaluations and make a diagnosis. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long they have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genes play a major role in whether your child or you will experience symptoms.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life, including home, work, and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various environments because ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child require six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with the daily activities. It must last for at minimum for six months.
To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, they must exclude other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be considered. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that may have affected your child's or your brain's development.
He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. These side effects could also be caused by other medications such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids.
Finally, the expert will need to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and then make the diagnosis.