Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will need to evaluate adults in order to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional might be able to inquire about the length of time you have had symptoms and how they affect you. They might also suggest that you talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
In some cases the evaluator may recommend cognitive tests for example, IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.
If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD They may suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological testing.
The tests will be used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be associated with ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be evaluated for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD tests and quizzes that can be used to test your knowledge, before making an appointment with your physician. These tests may help you recognize that you may have ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about any history of depression or substance abuse as these issues can co-occur 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 student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, instead of conducting an extensive examination. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order for a diagnosis this is a red flag.
For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
It's often a relief for some adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or sadness for not meeting expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, may be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications throughout a person's life, including relationships, work and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they are a match for your needs. It is important to find a professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the assessor. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk might ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and if they affect your schoolwork, work, 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 of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also solicit those who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults could be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or parents. Personal insights can reveal information that is not feasible to collect from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might also test for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computer-based test that tests your ability to pay attention and remember a series of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which type of ADHD you are: inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will want to know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been occurring. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent hereditary and that genetics are a major factor in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school and at work. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child will also require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders everyday functioning. This must last at minimum six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. This could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. The specialist will also ask about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that could have impacted your child's or your own 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. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other medications, including sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids.
The specialist will also need to determine if there's an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child may have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will go through all the information and determine a diagnosis.