Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why people have issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults.
Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse is required to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
An in-depth interview about you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional will also be looking to determine how long it has been a problem and how they affect you. They might also suggest that you talk to a family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have experienced any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
In certain situations the evaluator might suggest cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical issues that could be the cause of your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.
If your healthcare provider believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests could include blood and urine tests, a medical exam as well as psychological or educational tests.
The tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be associated with ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms similar to ADHD like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are numerous ADHD questions and tests that can be used as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD, but an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of depression or substance abuse 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. The psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to look over the patient'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 information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete assessment. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator then compares the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.
For some adults, it can be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life- can be complicated. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These characteristics can have serious consequences in many areas such as relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot paperwork and interviews as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to seek recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they are a match for your requirements. It is important to find a doctor who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. adult adhd diagnosis uk might ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your work, school or social relationships. The evaluator can also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where 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 other people.
Many evaluators also request those who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings for children. It might be teachers, coaches, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disabilities 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 disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism.
Certain evaluators will offer you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target 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 and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess how often you react to non-target stimuli, and the length of time it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have either inattentive or impulsive.
Follow-up
Many kinds of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and make a diagnosis. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been recurring for. He will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genetics are a major factor in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different situations since ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity or inattention and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, may be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that could have affected your child or your brain's development.
The doctor will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications that you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may result in side effects like stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants and a few sleep aids.
Finally, the doctor will determine if a comorbidity present this 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 all of the data and come up with a diagnosis.