Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why people have issues like staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also be sure to check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse is required to evaluate adults in order to establish a correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who can determine the presence of ADHD in adults.
A typical initial evaluation will begin with a detailed interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They may also ask to speak to a family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
In some cases the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they may recommend additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and possibly educational or psychological tests.
Tests are conducted to determine the levels of specific chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend a brain imaging scan to check for any structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms similar to ADHD, such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD tests and quizzes that can be used to test your knowledge, before scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to make a diagnosis is with a medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.
This process could take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours and includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect their symptoms. It may also include the clinician seeking out a history of depression or substance abuse, as those problems 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. The doctor will also want to look over the patient's school records as well as speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can provide details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This can lead doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order to be diagnosed, that's a red flag.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
It's a great feeling for some adults to finally receive an ADHD diagnosis. However, the underlying emotions- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in life -- can be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and lack of attention. These traits can lead to negative consequences in a variety of fields, including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to seek suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their qualifications to ensure they're a good fit for your needs. It is essential to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with an evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms affect your life and if they impact work, school or relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For instance, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.
coping strategies request people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches, or nannies. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disorders are contributing to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge how you respond both to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test that has been approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and remember a number of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist or psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been recurring for. The specialist 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 be affected.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your or your child's ADHD affects your life at home, work and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various situations because ADHD symptoms are different in different settings. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must have six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out any other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be a possibility. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that may have affected your child or your own brain development.
The doctor will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child take. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD may include 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's a comorbidity, which means you or your child could have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the data and determine a diagnosis.