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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay organized in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A typical initial evaluation will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional may also inquire about how long you've had symptoms and how they affect you. They might also want to speak to a family member or close friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and speak to people who knew you as in your early years. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases an evaluator might recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory issues. They may also recommend other medical exams to rule out physical ailments that might be the cause of your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues. If your healthcare professional is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They may suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests could include blood and urine tests, a medical exam as well as psychological or educational testing. Tests are used to measure levels of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a the spirometry test which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances the evaluator could recommend that you or your child be examined for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD questions and quizzes that can be used as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a physician. These tests can be useful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to get a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and does not rush into prescribing medication. 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 may influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of addiction to drugs or depression since these problems can co-occur along 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 and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family members could also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only seeing a patient one time instead of conducting a thorough examination. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. If the clinician is too firmly rooted in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and stipulates that a patient must display six or more symptoms for a diagnosis this is an indication of trouble. For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and determines if there is ADHD. For certain adults, it may be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or grief for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be complex. The impulsivity and inattention that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health. The Tests Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors, family members and friends. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to make sure 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 an evaluator. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they affect 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 who is close to you several questions. For instance, you might be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings and for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire. Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments contribute to your symptoms. medical history may also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions like seizures and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computer-based test that tests your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli, as well as how long it takes to respond to the stimuli you are targeting. This will help the evaluators identify which type of ADHD you have either impulsive or inattentive. Follow-up Several kinds of mental health professionals can provide ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long they have been present for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent hereditary and that genes play a significant 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 ask you or your child about their behavior in various settings because ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must exhibit six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months. To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as 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 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 related to any other health condition or medications you or your child is taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other drugs such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and some sleep aids. The expert will also need to determine if there's a comorbidity, which means you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the data and come up with the diagnosis.