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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It is the reason why people have issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized. Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional could also inquire about how long you have had symptoms and how they affect you. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you will include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will want to examine your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were in your early years. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. In certain situations the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If a healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, a medical examination and, possibly, psychological or educational tests. Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also recommend a the spirometry test which measures the capacity of your lungs. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms similar to ADHD like depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used as a screening tool before scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests may provide you with the information that you have ADHD, but a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process can last from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it might influence their symptoms. It may also include the doctor asking about a history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems 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 review the patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member might also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This can cause a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and states that a patient needs to display at least six symptoms for a diagnosis it's an indication of trouble. For adults , the evaluator may request the patient to fill out scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD. It's a great feeling for some adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. However, the underlying emotionslike guilt for not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life — can be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have severe implications in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, career and health. The Tests The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves a lot paperwork and interviews as well as tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their professional credentials to make sure they are a good fit to your requirements. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment. The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the assessor. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or yourself to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms impact your daily life and if they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also request people who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. 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 survey. Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disorders contribute to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They may also screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizures. Some evaluators will provide your child or you an ADHD screening test that evaluates how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay close attention and remember a number of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how often you react to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you have whether you are inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist or. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long they have been occurring. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80 percent hereditary. Genes play a major factor in determining if your child or you will experience symptoms. The professional will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life such as at work, home, and school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they occur in different situations. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must exhibit six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid problems, can be a possibility. The specialist will also ask about your child's or your own sleeping habits, as well as any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that could have affected your child or your brain's development. He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected 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 trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and a few sleep aids. The expert will also need to determine if there's an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child might have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and then make the diagnosis.