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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why people have issues like staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Also be sure to inquire with your insurance company to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a proper diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is usually the first step in a preliminary evaluation. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine how long it has been present and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask to speak to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you've had any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other medical exams to rule out physical ailments that might be creating your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If the healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological testing. Tests are conducted to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you a spirometry test, which evaluates the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for functional or structural issues. In some instances the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms similar to ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful 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 clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing drugs. The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. It could also include the clinician asking about a past history of substance abuse or depression because 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 doctor will also want to look over the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this step or insist on seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete evaluation. This can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and stipulates that a patient must display at least six symptoms to be diagnosed, that's a red flag. For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected the patient's life. The assessor will then compare the scores with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the patient for ADHD. For some adults, it can be a relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. adhd diagnosis for adults underlying emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder was not noticed until later in the life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact throughout the life of a person, including relationships, career and health. The Tests It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to get recommendations from family, friends and doctors you trust. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure they meet your requirements. It is crucial to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment. The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how symptoms affect you and whether they impact your schoolwork, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. For example, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also ask those who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or nannies. Personal insights can provide information that isn't feasible to collect through a questionnaire. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying conditions such as seizures and hypothyroidism. Certain evaluators will offer you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you are whether you are inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been affecting you for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70% to 80% heritable and that genetics play a big role in determining whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms. The specialist will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD impacts your daily life, including home, work, and school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in various situations, as the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child require at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders daily functioning. The symptoms must last for at least six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. This could include other psychiatric disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child or yourself's habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have affected your child's or your brain's development. He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health conditions or medications you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can result in side effects like stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other medications like antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids. The specialist will also need to determine whether there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child could have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the information and come up with the diagnosis.