Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It explains why some people struggle to stay organized, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.

The Diagnosis Process

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse is required to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

Often, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they affect you. They may ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to review your school records and talk to those who knew you as a child. They will also ask whether you've had any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

In some cases, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other medical exams to rule out physical issues that could be creating your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.

If the healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly psychological or educational testing.

Tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In certain instances, the evaluator may recommend that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety 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 schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of adhd diagnosis statistics, but the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medications.

The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask 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 student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.

Some doctors are rushed and skip this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out a full evaluation. This can cause doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.

The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.

For some adults, it could be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not meeting expectations or the fact 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 severe implications throughout the life of a person, including relationships, career, and health.

The Tests

It can be challenging and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to get recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they are a match for your needs. It is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they impact your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children may be required to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers, or the nannies. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to gather from a questionnaire.

Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They might also test for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.

Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to targeted and non-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 recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how to get an adhd diagnosis uk adults often you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

The Follow-Up

Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The doctor will ask you what your concerns are, and how to be diagnosed with adhd in adults long the issues have been affecting you for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent hereditary. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you be affected.

The specialist will want to know how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life, including home, work, and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various environments because ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.

To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out any other conditions. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that may have affected your child's or your brain's development.

He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health issues or medications that you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other medications like antidepressants, sleep medications, and certain sleep aids.

The expert will also need to determine if there's an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will go through all the data and determine an assessment.