Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying in control and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults. The Diagnosis Process A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will be required to assess adults in order to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to diagnose ADHD among adults. Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also want to know the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask to speak to your family member or close friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder existed during childhood. So, the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and speak to people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In certain instances an evaluator might suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders. If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and even psychological or educational tests. Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. https://www.adhddiagnosis.top/ will also assess your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to determine if there are any functional or structural problems. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be evaluated for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty 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 identifying the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and does not rush into prescribing medications. The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about depression or substance abuse as 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. In addition, the clinician will want to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or family member. The personal perspective of a person can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this process or insist on visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete evaluation. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how the symptoms have affected the patient's life. The evaluation will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD. For certain adults, it may be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not achieving expectations or that the disorder was not noticed until later in the life, can be complex. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, work, and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. You can prepare by obtaining advice from reliable doctors or family members, as well as friends. Research the specialist's credentials and ensure that they are a match for your needs. It is essential to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure 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 also ask those who know you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers, or nannies. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that tests how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention and remember a number 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 target stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have either inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long they have been present for. He will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genetics play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will have symptoms. The specialist will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work, and school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different environments because ADHD symptoms are different in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child require at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interferes with everyday functioning. The symptoms must last for at least six months. To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may also be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that could have impacted your child's or yourself's brain development. He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications that you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may cause side effects, such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs like sleep medications, antidepressants, and certain sleep aids. The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the information and make an assessment.