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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying in control and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients. The Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will be required to evaluate adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they affect your daily life. They might also want to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will want to look over your school records and talk to people who knew you when you were an infant. They will also discuss whether you've had any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If your doctor is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological testing. Tests will be used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural abnormalities. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are numerous ADHD questions and tests that can be used to test your knowledge, before scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression, 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. The doctor will also want to review the patient's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or family member. The personal perspective of a person can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough evaluation. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and states that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis, that's an indication of trouble. For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how the symptoms have affected the patient's life. The evaluation will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD. It can be a relief for some adults to finally be given an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in many areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, career, and health. The Tests Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best way to prepare is to get suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. You should also research the specialist and their professional credentials to ensure they're a good fit to your needs. It is crucial to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child gets an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the assessor. 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 daily life and whether they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales to 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 others. Many evaluators also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses or children; for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal experience can provide information that isn't feasible to collect through a questionnaire. Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder 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 may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and remember the geometric shapes of a set of. The evaluator will examine the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli, and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine which type of ADHD you are: Inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up A variety of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD assessments and provide a diagnosis. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been present for. He will also ask whether there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you will suffer from symptoms. The specialist will be interested in how your your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home, and school. He will inquire about your your child's behavior across various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different environments. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must display at least six distinct signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least six months. To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. This could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain. adult adhd diagnosis will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health condition or medications you or your child takes. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and insomnia. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these side effects. The expert will determine if a comorbidity is present this means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD, such as bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the data and make an assessment.