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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It is the reason why people struggle with issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized. Ask your family physician or therapy provider to refer you an expert. Contact your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will need to evaluate adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults. A detailed interview about you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long it has been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They might also suggest that you speak to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you will involve questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed in childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and speak to people who knew you as a child. They will also ask if you have ever had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In certain instances, the evaluator will suggest cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other medical exams to rule out physical issues that could be creating your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues. If the healthcare professional believes that your symptoms are due to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological tests. The tests will be used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you a spirometry test, which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They might also suggest a brain imaging scan to determine if there are any structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances, the evaluator may recommend that you or your child be examined for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD quizzes and questionnaires which can serve as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a physician. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medication. 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 could also involve the doctor asking about a history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems may co-exist 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. In addition, the clinician will want to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this step or insist on seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD. The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the severity of ADHD. It's often a relief for some adults to finally get an ADHD diagnosis. But the underlying emotions — such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not recognized until later in life — can be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and inattention. focus. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships as well as careers and health. The Tests It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork, interviews, and tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they're a good match for your needs. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment. An interview with the evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD evaluation. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms affect your life and whether they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with your child or you to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses or siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They could also test for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures. Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and remember a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. Follow-up Several kinds of mental health professionals can offer ADHD assessments and provide a diagnosis. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are, and how long they have been occurring for. adhd diagnosis in adults will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable and that genes play a significant role in determining if you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms. The expert will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your life at home, work and at school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms vary in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child will also require six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders daily functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum for six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your child's brain. He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and certain sleep medications may also cause these side effects. The doctor will also have to determine if there's a comorbidity. This means that you or your child might have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and make an assessment.