Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying in control and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also make sure to inquire with your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a proper diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can identify ADHD among adults.
An in-depth interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional might also inquire about how long you've had symptoms and how they impact your life. They may ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and talk to those who knew you as an infant. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In some cases the evaluator might recommend 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 any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.
If the healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical exam and, possibly, psychological or educational testing.
Tests are used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you the spirometry test, which evaluates the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool before you make an appointment with a physician. These tests could alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can take 2 to 3 hours and includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about a history or depression or substance abuse as 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 psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to review the patient's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or family member. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors are rushed and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This could lead doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too fundamentalist about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order for a diagnosis this is an indication of trouble.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the patient for ADHD.
It's often a relief for some adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or the grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in life -it can be a challenge. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of focus. These traits can have negative consequences in a variety of fields including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they meet your requirements. try this is essential to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your work, school or your 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 may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also solicit those who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or nannies. Personal insights can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through a questionnaire.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine how you respond both to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention to detail and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
A variety of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are and how long they have been affecting you for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genes play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
The specialist will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home and at school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they occur in different settings. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. These may include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child or yourself's sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that could have affected your child or your own brain development.
He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health condition or medications you or your child is taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these side effects.
The doctor will also have to determine if there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child might have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the information and determine an assessment.