Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It explains why some people struggle to stay organized and following directions, or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
A thorough interview with your symptoms and how you are feeling is often the first step in a preliminary evaluation. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they affect you. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might be able to examine your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you have experienced any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could cause your symptoms.
If your healthcare provider is confident that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological tests.
Tests are conducted to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. adhd uk diagnosis could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to check for any functional or structural issues. In certain instances, the evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can act as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult a medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medications.
This process could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might affect his or her symptoms. The physician may also inquire about addiction to drugs or depression since these conditions 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. Additionally, the therapist will be required to review school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out a full assessment. This can cause to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. If the doctor is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and states that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order to be diagnosed it's a red flag.
For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how those symptoms have affected his or her life. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the patient for ADHD.
It's often a relief for some adults to finally be given an ADHD diagnosis. However, the emotions that accompany it -like guilt for not meeting expectations, or regret that the disorder wasn't discovered until later in life -are often complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have severe implications throughout the life of a person, including relationships, career and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It involves many forms, interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to seek recommendations from family, friends and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the physician and their credentials to ensure they are a good fit to your needs. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they affect your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also request people who know you and your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be required to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers, or nannies. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism and seizures.
Some evaluators will give your child or you an ADHD screening test that tests the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how often you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The doctor will ask you what your concerns are and how long they have been affecting you for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genetics play a significant role in whether you or your child will have symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they occur in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD you or your 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 make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should also be considered. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain.
The doctor will also determine whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are related to any health conditions or medications you or your child take. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs like sleep medications, antidepressants and certain sleep aids.
The expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present this means that your child or you is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the data and determine the diagnosis.