Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay organized and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They 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 the symptoms. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed in childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were in your early years. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
In certain instances the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that may be creating your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are due to 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, medical examinations as well as psychological or educational tests.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of your brain to check for any functional or structural problems. In some instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing drugs.
The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. It could also include the doctor seeking out a history of depression or abuse of substances because these issues may co-exist 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. adhd uk diagnosis will also want 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 a family member. Personal insight can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just once, rather than conducting an extensive assessment. This could lead doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator could request the patient to fill out scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or sadness for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have serious implications throughout a person's life, including relationships, work and health.
The Tests
It can be a challenge and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best way to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Examine the credentials of the doctor and ensure that they're a good match for your requirements. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or yourself to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they impact your school, work or social relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also ask those who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches or nannies. Personal insights can reveal information that is not possible to gather through a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or incipient psychosis. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure how you respond both to non-target and target stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how often you respond to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist or. The specialist will want to know the cause of your concern and how long they have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable and that genetics play a big role in determining if you or your child will have symptoms.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life such as at work, home and school. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid problems, can be a possibility. The specialist will also ask about your child's or your own sleeping habits, as well as any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that may have affected your child or yourself's brain development.
He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health issues or medications that you or your child takes. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other drugs, such as antidepressants as well as some sleep medications, can also have these side effects.
Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity is present which means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the information and come up with the diagnosis.