Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals have difficulty staying in control in their work, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also, contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

The Diagnosis Process

A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will need to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been a problem and how they impact you. They might also suggest that you speak to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.

The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed in the early years of childhood. So, the healthcare professional will want to review your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were a child. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

In some cases, the evaluator will suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms.

If a healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests.

Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a a spirometry test, which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural abnormalities. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are many ADHD questions and tests that you can use to test your knowledge, prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can help you recognize that you 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 explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect their symptoms. It could also include the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems 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. The doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.

Some doctors are in a rush and do not complete this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out an extensive evaluation. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. If the doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and states that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order to be diagnosed, that's an indication of trouble.

For adults, the evaluator may ask the patient to complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have affected his or her life. The assessor will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.

For some adults, it could be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the underlying emotionssuch as guilt over not living up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not discovered until later in life -- can be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas, including relationships work, health, and careers.

The Tests

Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. Examine the credentials of the doctor and ensure that they meet your requirements. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.

An interview with the evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. 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 affect your life and whether they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. For instance, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request people who know you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses or siblings for children. It could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover information that cannot be gleaned from a survey.

A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or incipient psychosis. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizures.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test cleared by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. 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 targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.

The Follow-Up

Several kinds of mental health professionals can offer ADHD assessments and provide a diagnosis. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long they have been recurring for. He will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genes play an important role in whether your child or you experience symptoms.

The expert will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life at home, work and school. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child need to have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. It must last for at least six months.

To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment , anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should also be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns as well as any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your or your child's brain.

The doctor will also determine whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are connected to any health issues or medications that you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs, including sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids.

The doctor will also have to determine if there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child may be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and make the diagnosis.