Getting diagnosis for adhd of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why people struggle with things such as staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also make sure to check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
An in-depth interview about your health and symptoms is often the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional could also inquire about how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how they impact your life. They might suggest that you speak with a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
In certain instances, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
If a healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are related to 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 perhaps educational or psychological testing.
The tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of the brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some cases your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests may help you recognize that you suffer from ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about addiction to drugs or depression since 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 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 details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of completing a full assessment. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluation will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not noticed until later in lifeare often complicated. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These traits can have serious consequences in many areas including relationships work, health, and careers.
The Tests
It can be a challenge and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. The best way to prepare is to seek suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the physician and their professional qualifications to ensure they're a good match for your needs. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child is getting an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you to answer a series of questions. For example, you might be asked if you frequently miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also request people who are familiar with you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be required to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or the nannies. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, or an underlying psychosis. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizures.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine how you respond both to target and nontarget stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and recall geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
The Follow-Up
A variety of mental health professionals can offer ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how long they have been occurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable, and that genes are a major factor in whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
The expert will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work and school. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior across various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child need to have at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that affects the daily activities. This must last at minimum for six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child or yourself's sleeping habits, as well as any injuries or accidents in the past that could have impacted your child's or your brain's development.
He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may cause side effects, such as stomachaches and insomnia. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and certain sleep aids.
The doctor will also have to determine if there's an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and make the diagnosis.