Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. This is why some people struggle with things like staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Contact your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients.
Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to identify ADHD in adults.
Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were an infant. They may also inquire if you've had any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
In certain situations the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure problems.
If your healthcare provider is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological tests.
The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be linked to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also recommend a the spirometry test which measures your lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD quizzes and questions that you can use as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD, but a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. It could also involve the clinician asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances 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. The doctor will also want to look over the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires.
Some doctors are overloaded and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out a full examination. This can lead doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to finally receive an ADHD diagnosis. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not living up to expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be complex. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These traits can lead to serious consequences in many areas including relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by getting recommendations from trusted doctors, family members and friends. You must also research the doctor and their credentials to make sure they're a good fit to your requirements. It is essential to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with the evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they impact your school, work, or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you a series of questions. For instance, you might be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also ask people who know you and your child well to fill out questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. adhd diagnosis uk adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches, or parents. Personal insight can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disorders contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They may also screen for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or 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. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test cleared by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-target stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you are either Inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Several kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and provide an assessment. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long the issues have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genes play a significant role in determining if you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will ask about your your child's behavior in various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they occur in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must have six or more documented signs of hyperactivity or inattention and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may be a possibility. The specialist will also ask about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that may have affected your child's or yourself's brain development.
He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health condition or medications that you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these side effects.
The expert will also need to determine if there's an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make an assessment.