Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying organized 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 assessments for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A detailed interview about you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you have had symptoms and how they affect you. They might suggest that you 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 do not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In some cases the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
If your healthcare professional is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical examination and, possibly, psychological or educational tests.
The tests are designed to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to look for functional or structural problems. In certain instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use as a screening tool before making an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to make a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.
This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about a history or substance abuse or depression 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 psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to review the student's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors are rushed and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an extensive evaluation. This can cause a doctor to make a wrong diagnosis. If the doctor is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order for a diagnosis it's a red flag.
The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluation will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -- such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or regret that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life -it can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have severe implications in a variety of areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. You must also research the doctor and their credentials to ensure they're a good match to your needs. It is important to locate an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate evaluation and the best treatment possible.
An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms impact your daily life and if they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also solicit those who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings and for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal insights can reveal information that is not feasible to collect from a survey.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They may even screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders 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 that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and provide an assessment. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long these problems have been happening. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genes are a major factor in determining whether you or your child will have symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. adhd adults diagnosis uk will inquire about your your child's behavior in various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they occur in different settings. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must display six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least six months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, for example thyroid problems, can be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleep patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health conditions or medications you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs like sleep medications, antidepressants and a few sleep aids.
The expert will need to determine if a comorbidity present which means that you or your child has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the information and make an assessment.