What Is Getting An ADHD Diagnosis And Why Is Everyone Talking About It? Getting an ADHD Diagnosis


A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying focused, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you an expert. Also be sure to contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

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 thorough interview with your health and symptoms is often the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how they impact your life. They might suggest that you speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms.

The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a kid. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.

In some instances an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests such as IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that might be the cause of your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure problems.

If your healthcare professional is certain that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and possibly educational or psychological tests.

The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be related to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are many ADHD questions and tests that can be used as a screening tool before scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to make a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medications.

The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The doctor 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. The psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to examine the student's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member could also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.

Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out a full assessment. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red-flag when the doctor is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.

The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.

For some adults, it can be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -such as guilt over not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder was not discovered until later in life -- can be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health.

The Tests

It can be a challenge and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from family, friends and doctors you trust. Check out the credentials of the specialist and ensure that they meet your requirements. It is crucial to find a doctor who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate evaluation and the best possible treatment.

The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect you and if they affect your schoolwork, work, or relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't possible to obtain through a questionnaire.

Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.

Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you have: impulsive or inattentive.

Follow-up

Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and provide an assessment. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will want to know the cause of your concern and how long they have been occurring. The specialist will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable, and that genes are a major factor in determining if you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.

The specialist will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life at home, work, and at school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child need to have at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders daily functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain.

He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health issues or medications you or your child are taking. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other medications, including antidepressants and certain sleep medications, can also have these side effects.

The expert will determine if a comorbidity present, which means that you or your child is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the data and determine the diagnosis.