Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why people struggle with issues such as staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized.

Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults.

Diagnosis Process

For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

A detailed interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is often the first step in a preliminary evaluation. The healthcare professional might be able to inquire about the length of time you've had symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might also suggest that you talk to an immediate family member or friend about your symptoms.

The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines where do i go to get diagnosed for adhd not allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

In certain situations the evaluator might recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that could be the cause of your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure problems.

If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and possibly educational or psychological tests.

Tests will be used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be given a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act 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, but the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to consult an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't 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 impact it has on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of addiction to drugs or depression since these issues can co-occur with ADHD.

A good diagnostic criteria for adult adhd (visit www.deepzone.net) 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 psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to examine the patient's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member might also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires.

Some doctors are in a rush and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient only one time, rather than carrying out an extensive assessment. This could lead to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.

The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.

For some adults, it could be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for not living up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not noticed until later in lifeit can be a challenge. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and inattention. concentration. These characteristics can have serious consequences in many areas, including relationships work, health, and careers.

The Tests

It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their qualifications to ensure they're a good fit to your requirements. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.

The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your work, school or social relationships. The evaluator may also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators will also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings and for children, it could be coaches, teachers, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey.

A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or an underlying psychosis. They might also test for underlying conditions like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computer-based test that tests your ability to pay attention and remember a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

The Follow-Up

Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how to get diagnosed with adult add long these problems have been occurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genes play a significant role in determining if you or your child will have symptoms.

The professional will want to know 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 in various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they are present in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. This must last at minimum six months.

To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, should also be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleep patterns and any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain.

He will also take into consideration whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health issues or medications you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids.

Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make a diagnosis.