Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It explains why some people have difficulty staying organized, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a correct diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare providers who are able to diagnose ADHD in adults.
A thorough interview with your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in the initial assessment. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they affect your daily life. They might also suggest that you talk to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions about your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will want to examine your school records and talk to those who knew you when you were an infant. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances the evaluator might recommend cognitive tests for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical issues that may be causing your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your healthcare professional is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include urine and blood tests as well as a medical examination and possibly educational or psychological testing.
Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural abnormalities. In certain instances your evaluator may suggest that you or a child be evaluated 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 questions and quizzes that can be used as a screening tool before you make an appointment with your doctor. diagnosing adhd in adults can help you recognize that you may have ADHD However, an interview with a doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can last from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. It could also include the doctor seeking out a history of depression or substance abuse since these conditions may co-exist 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. In addition, the clinician will be required to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be questioned. The personal perspective of a person can provide details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this process or insist on seeing a patient one time rather than completing a complete examination. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the underlying emotions- such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or regret that the disorder was not recognized until later in life -are often complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, career, 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. You can prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors family members, friends and relatives. Check out the credentials of the specialist and ensure that they are a match for your needs. It is important to locate an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
An interview with an evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms affect your life and whether they interfere with work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone around you to answer a series of questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings for children. It might be teachers, coaches, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target 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 remember a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which type of ADHD you have either impulsive or inattentive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist, neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been recurring for. He will also ask whether there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% heritable. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you will be affected.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home and school. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various situations since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child be required to show at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with the daily activities. It must last for at least six months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. These could include other psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical disorders 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 previous accidents or injuries that could 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 that you or your child take. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects, such as stomachaches and insomnia. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and certain sleep aids.
The expert will need to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make an assessment.