A Guide To Getting An ADHD Diagnosis From Beginning To End
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. This is why some people have issues like staying focused, following directions and being organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Check with your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.
Diagnosis Process
For adults, a correct diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals 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 will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They may ask you to speak with a close friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you will include questions regarding 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 to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also ask whether you've had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety.
In some cases an evaluator might suggest cognitive tests, like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may cause your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider believes that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological tests.
Tests will be used to measure levels of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also give you the spirometry test, which will measure your lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or a child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are plenty of ADHD questions and quizzes that can be used as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to receive a diagnosis is through an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing drugs.
The process can last from 2 to 3 hours and includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might affect his or her symptoms. It could also include the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems 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 patient's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient only once, instead of conducting a full evaluation. This can cause to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how those symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to finally receive an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, can be complex. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, career, and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure they're a good match for your needs. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluator. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they impact work, school or relationships. The evaluator could also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or children for children. It could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned from a survey.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder or an underlying psychosis. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizures.
Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that evaluates how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test cleared by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. adhd diagnosis in adult will look at how often you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and how long it takes you 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 offer ADHD evaluations. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist or. The doctor will want to know the cause of your concern and how long the issues have been occurring. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genes play an important role in whether your child or you will experience symptoms.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school and at work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms are different in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child need to have at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. It must last for at minimum six months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule other conditions out. This could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed such as anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain.
He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications you or your child are taking. The adverse effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and certain sleep medications may also cause these adverse effects.
The expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity is present this means that you or your child is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the information and come up with the diagnosis.