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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals have difficulty staying focused, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact such a good point to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A detailed interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in a preliminary assessment. The healthcare professional may also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they impact your life. They might suggest that you speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process will also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider might be able to examine your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a child. They may also inquire if you have had any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety. In some instances an evaluator could recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest other medical exams to rule out physical conditions that may be creating your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid issues. If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD They may suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include urine and blood tests, medical examinations and, possibly, educational or psychological testing. The tests will be used to determine the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be associated with ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also assess your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo an examination of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used as a screening tool, before making an appointment with your physician. These tests could help you recognize that you have ADHD however a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. It could also involve the doctor asking about a history of substance abuse or depression since these conditions are often co-occurring 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 examine the patient's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD. It's often a relief for some adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or grief for not meeting expectations or that the disorder was not noticed until later in the life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have severe implications throughout an individual's life, such as relationships, career, and health. The Tests It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from family, friends and doctors you trust. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure that they're a good match for your needs. It is essential to find a specialist who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how the symptoms impact your daily life and whether they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you several questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators will also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children may be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers or nannies. Personal experience can provide information that isn't feasible to collect through a questionnaire. Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also test for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures. Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to determine your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and recall geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. The Follow-Up Many kinds of mental health professionals can offer ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been recurring for. The specialist will also ask whether there is a family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genes play a big role in determining if you or your child will suffer from symptoms. The professional will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your life, including home, work, and school. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in various situations, as the signs of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, they must exclude other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, may also be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that may have impacted your child's or your own brain development. He will also take into consideration whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications that you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications are also prone to these side effects. Finally, the expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that you or your child has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will go through all the data and come up with an assessment.