Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some individuals struggle to stay focused in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also make sure to check with your insurance to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse will be required to evaluate adults in order to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to identify ADHD among adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also want to know how long your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They may ask you to speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder existed in the early years of childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to examine your school records and talk to those who knew you as in your early years. They may also inquire if you've had any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety. In some cases, the evaluator will recommend cognitive tests for example, IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If your healthcare provider is confident that your symptoms are due to ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/ are conducted to determine the levels of specific chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you a spirometry test, which measures the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some cases, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be examined for any conditions that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can help you recognize that you may have ADHD however a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process can last from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of addiction to drugs or depression since these issues 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 clinician will also want to review the patient's school records as well as talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family members could also be questioned. The personal perspective of a person can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of conducting a thorough examination. This can lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess for ADHD. It's often a relief for some adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or the grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in lifeit can be a challenge. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and a lack of focus. These traits can have serious consequences in many areas including relationships as well as careers and health. The Tests It can be a challenge and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves many forms, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the specialist and their credentials to ensure they're a good match to your requirements. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your school, work, or 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. For example, you might be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings and for children, it could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to gather through a questionnaire. Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disorders are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders. Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators to determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long they have been occurring. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent hereditary. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you suffer from symptoms. He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school and at work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be eligible for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must exhibit six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above including mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your or your child's brain. He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child is taking. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other drugs such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids. The specialist will also need to determine if there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child may have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the information and come up with a diagnosis.