Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. This is why some people struggle with issues such as staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also, check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
how to diagnose adhd ADHD Diagnosis detailed interview about your health and symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional may also inquire about how long you have had symptoms and how they impact you. They might also want to talk to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional might be able to examine your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They will also ask if you have ever had any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
In some cases, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your doctor is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational testing.
Tests are used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered a spirometry, 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 the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms similar to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires which can serve as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make a diagnosis is through a medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medication.
The process can last from 2 to 3 hours and includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might affect their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about substance abuse or depression as these problems can co-occur along 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 family member. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough examination. This can lead to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. If the doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient must display at least six symptoms to be diagnosed this is an indication of trouble.
The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The assessor will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, work and health.
The Tests
It can be a challenge and confusing to get an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best method to prepare is to get recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. Examine the credentials of the doctor and ensure that they are a match for your needs. It is essential to find a professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your schoolwork, work or your 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 set of questions. For instance, you might be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also solicit people who know you and your child well to complete questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches, or parents. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying conditions like seizures and hypothyroidism.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine how often you respond non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the problems have been recurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80% heritable, and that genes are a major factor in whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
The professional will be interested in how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life at home, work, and at school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must display at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity, inattention or the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid problems, can also be considered. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns as well as 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 linked to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications are also prone to these side effects.
The doctor will also have to determine if there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child could have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and then make an assessment.