Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It explains why some people struggle to stay organized, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Check with your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse is required to examine adults to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who can identify ADHD in adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms.
The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other people who were with you as a child. They'll also ask if you've had any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
In some cases the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms.
If the healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.
The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be associated with ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also suggest a the spirometry test, which measures your lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural issues. In certain instances the evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that may have similar symptoms similar to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD quizzes and questions that you can use as a screening tool prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you have ADHD, but a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. It could also involve the doctor asking about a past history of depression or substance abuse 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. The doctor will also want to examine 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. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the scores to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or grief for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in the life, can be complex. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and a lack of focus. These characteristics can have grave consequences in a variety of areas such as relationships work, health, and careers.
The Tests
It can be challenging and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors family members, friends and relatives. Iam Psychiatry should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. It is essential to find a specialist who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with the assessor. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how your symptoms affect your life and if they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings for children. It could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal experience can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a survey.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or incipient psychosis. They could also test for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizures.
A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react 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 measures your ability to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you are: impulsive or inattentive.
The Follow-Up
A variety of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and make a diagnosis. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist or. The doctor will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been happening. 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 role in whether your child or you will experience symptoms.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various settings because ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interferes with the daily activities. It must last for at minimum for six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, should be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents in the past that may have affected your child or your brain's development.
The doctor will also consider whether the symptoms of ADHD in you or your children are caused by any health condition or medications that you or your child take. The adverse effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications, can also have these side effects.
Finally, the doctor will be required 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 eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make the diagnosis.