Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It explains why some people struggle to stay focused and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to see if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to identify ADHD among adults.
A typical initial evaluation will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they affect you. They may ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
The evaluation process will also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to look over your school records and speak to people who knew you as a child. They'll also ask if you've had any other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
In some cases an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests such as IQ testing or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical ailments that may be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure problems.
If your healthcare professional is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They may suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the problem. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical exam as well as psychological or educational tests.
Tests are used to measure levels of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a the spirometry test, which measures the capacity of your lungs. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural issues. In https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment could recommend that you or your child be tested for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD questions and tests that you can use as a screening tool before making an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to consult a medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.
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 doctor may also inquire about any history of 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 review the student's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This can lead doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. If the doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient needs to display six or more symptoms to receive a diagnosis this is an indication of trouble.
The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not recognized until later in lifeit can be a challenge. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of the life of a person, including relationships, career and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best method to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they meet your needs. It is important to find a specialist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they impact your work, school or social relationships. The evaluator may also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. For instance, you could be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also request people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings for children. It might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They might also test for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure how you respond both to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention to detail and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are and how long the issues have been occurring for. He will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% hereditary. Genes play a major factor in determining if your child or you will be affected.
The expert will want to know how your or your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home, and school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various settings because ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders the daily activities. It must last for at least six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that may have impacted your child's or yourself's brain development.
He will also take into consideration whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health condition or medications that you or your child takes. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and certain sleep medications, can also have these adverse effects.
Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity is present which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will go through all the data and determine the diagnosis.