5 Getting An ADHD Diagnosis Tips From The Professionals
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. This is why some people struggle with things such as staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized.
Ask your family physician or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Also, contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare providers who can determine the presence of ADHD among adults.
A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is usually the first step in the initial assessment. The healthcare professional will also be looking to determine the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect you. They might suggest that you speak with a close 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 in childhood. Therefore, how is adhd diagnosed in adults will need to examine your school records and speak to people who knew you as an infant. They will also ask if you have ever had any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
In some instances an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could cause your symptoms.
If the healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological tests.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of your brain to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some cases, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests can provide you with the information that you have ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
This process could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about depression or substance abuse as 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. Additionally, the therapist will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires.
Some doctors are overloaded and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out a full evaluation. This can cause a doctor to make a wrong diagnosis. If the doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient needs to display six or more symptoms for a diagnosis it's 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 evaluator then compares the scores to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
For some adults, it could be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life -it can be a challenge. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of focus. These characteristics can have grave consequences in a variety of areas such as relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors family members, friends and relatives. Examine the credentials of the doctor and ensure that they are a match for your requirements. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate evaluation and the best treatment possible.
The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluator. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms impact your daily life and if they interfere with school, work or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings and for children, it could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or an underlying psychosis. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay close attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want to be aware of your concerns and how long the problems have been present for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is about 70%-80% heritable and that genetics play a significant role in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and at school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different environments. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid problems, can be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleeping habits, as well as any accidents or injuries in the past that may have affected your child or your own brain development.
The doctor will also consider whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are related to any health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. The adverse effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants as well as some sleep medications are also prone to these side effects.
The expert will also need to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and determine the diagnosis.