Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying focused, 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. Diagnosis Process For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults. A thorough interview with your health and symptoms is often the first step in the initial assessment. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to examine your school records and talk to people who knew you when you were in your early years. They'll also ask if you have experienced any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. In certain instances the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could cause your symptoms. If the healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, medical examinations and, possibly, educational or psychological testing. 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 examine your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also suggest a a spirometry test, which evaluates your lung capacity. They might also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to look for functional or structural problems. In some instances, the evaluator may recommend that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that 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 you can use as a screening tool before scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to receive a diagnosis is through a medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medications. This process could take anywhere from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. It may also include the doctor asking about a past history of depression or substance abuse, as those problems are often co-occurring 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 doctor will want to review school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member might also be questioned. The personal perspective of a person can provide details that are not available through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This can cause a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis it's a red flag. For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how the symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the patient for ADHD. For some adults, it could be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, may be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and inattention. focus. These characteristics can have negative consequences in a variety of fields 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 as well as interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to get recommendations from family, friends and doctors you are confident with. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they are a match for your needs. It is important to locate an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate evaluation and the best possible treatment. The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms impact your life and whether they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You may be asked if you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also ask those who know you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/ can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a survey. Some evaluators will also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might also test for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders. Some evaluators will provide your child or you an ADHD screening test that evaluates 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 recall a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, and the length of time it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been occurring. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable and that genetics play a significant role in whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different situations because ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. To be eligible for an assessment of ADHD the parent or child must have six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months. To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. This could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain. He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health conditions or medications you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants as well as some sleep medications 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 might have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will look over the information and make a diagnosis.