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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying in control and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family physician or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults. The Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults. Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long it has been a problem and how they affect you. They might also want to speak to your family member or close friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluation could also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who were with you as a child. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. In certain instances the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that may be creating your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If your healthcare provider is confident that your symptoms are related to ADHD, they will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological tests. The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to check for any functional or structural problems. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests may provide you with the information that you may have ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. This process can last between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask 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. The clinician will also want to review the patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family members could also be interviewed. Personal insight can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. If the clinician is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient must display six or more symptoms to be diagnosed this is a red flag. For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluator compares the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD. It's often a relief for some adults to finally get an ADHD diagnosis. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not meeting 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 serious consequences in many areas, including relationships work, health, and careers. The Tests Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It requires lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. You can prepare by getting recommendations from reliable doctors or family members, as well as friends. You must also research the doctor and their professional credentials to ensure they're a good match for your needs. It is important to find a specialist who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment. An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or yourself to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect your life and whether they impact work, school 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 questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also ask people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults could be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or parents. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to gather through a questionnaire. Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disabilities are contributing factors to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders. Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess how often you respond to non-targeted stimuli, and the length of time it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This can help evaluators to determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The doctor will want to know the cause of your concern and how long the issues have been occurring. The doctor will also inquire whether there is a family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70%-80 percent hereditary, and that genes play a big role in whether you or your child will have symptoms. He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school and at work. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child be required to show at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that affects daily functioning. It must last for at least six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid problems, can also be considered. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your child's brain. The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are caused by any health condition or medications 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. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs like antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids. The specialist will also need to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the information and determine an assessment.