Darcy Boswell

Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why people struggle with issues such as staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.

Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance provider 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 professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.

A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional might be able to inquire about the length of time you have had symptoms and how they impact you. They may ask you to speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluating you may include questions regarding your childhood. Because current guidelines where do i go to get diagnosed for adhd not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

In certain instances an evaluator could recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory issues. They may also recommend other medical exams to rule out physical ailments that might be the cause of your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure problems.

If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly psychological or educational tests.

The tests are designed to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires which can serve as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a physician. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to receive a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing drugs.

The process can last from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could influence their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about a history or 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 doctor will also want to examine the patient's school records as well as speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.

Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete assessment. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluation will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.

For certain adults, it may be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder wasn't discovered until later in life -it can be a challenge. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and lack of focus. These characteristics can have negative consequences in a variety of fields, including relationships, careers, and health.

The Tests

It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. It is possible to prepare by obtaining advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. You should also research the specialist and their credentials to ensure they're a good match to your needs. It is crucial to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they interfere with school, work or relationships. The evaluator can 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. For example, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how to get an adhd diagnosis as an adult often you interrupt others.

Many evaluators also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings; for children, it might be teachers, coaches and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.

Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizures and hypothyroidism.

Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to non-target and target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computer-based test that tests your ability to pay attention and remember geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and how long it takes to respond to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluators to determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

Follow-up

Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long they have been recurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genes play a big role in determining if you or your child will suffer from symptoms.

The specialist will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work, and school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various situations since ADHD symptoms differ in different settings. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must display at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity or inattention and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least 6 months.

To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. These could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your child's brain.

The doctor will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in you or your children are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child take. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications are also prone to these adverse effects.

Finally, the doctor will determine if a comorbidity is present which means that you or your child has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and make the add diagnosis in adults.