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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying focused in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also make sure to check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional might also inquire about how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might suggest that you speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines do not 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 kid. They will also discuss whether you have experienced any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression. In certain instances the evaluator might recommend cognitive tests, 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 could be causing your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues. If your healthcare provider believes that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical exam, and possibly psychological or educational testing. The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for functional or structural issues. In some cases the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated 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 numerous ADHD questions and tests that you can use as a screening tool before making an appointment with your physician. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to make a diagnosis is through a medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medications. This process could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could influence their symptoms. The doctor may also inquire about addiction to drugs or depression since 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. Additionally, the therapist will want to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member could also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal details that are not available through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This can lead doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted their lives. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator for ADHD. For some adults, it could be a relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it — such as guilt for not meeting expectations, or regret that the disorder was not discovered until later in lifeare often complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have severe implications in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health. The Tests The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors, family members and friends. You must also research the doctor and their qualifications to ensure they're a good fit for your needs. It is crucial to find a specialist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate evaluation and the best treatment possible. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms affect your life and whether they affect work, school or relationships. undiagnosed adhd in adults might also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through a questionnaire. The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism and seizures. Some evaluators will give your child or you an ADHD screening test that tests how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. 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 the geometric shapes of a set of. The evaluator will examine the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators to determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long they have been occurring for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genetics play a significant factor in determining if your child or you will be affected. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various settings since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child will also be required to show at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects everyday functioning. This must last at least six months. To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to exclude other conditions. This could include other psychiatric disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that might have impacted your child's or your brain's development. He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health issues or medications you or your child is taking. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects, such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants as well as some sleep medications, can also have these side effects. The expert will also need to determine whether there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child could have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will go through all the information and make a diagnosis.