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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 struggle with issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized. Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also, check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A typical initial evaluation will begin with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they impact you. They may ask you to speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire if you have experienced any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests 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, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational testing. Tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be evaluated for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening instrument before you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests could alert you to the possibility that you have ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. adhd diagnosis adult includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects 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 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 review the patient's school records as well as talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal experience can provide information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires. Some doctors are rushed and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, instead of conducting an extensive evaluation. This could lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. For adults, the evaluator may ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have affected the patient's life. The evaluator then compares the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD. For some adults, it could be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or grief for not meeting expectations or that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, can be a bit complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have severe implications in many areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It requires many forms, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to get recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. You must also research the doctor and their professional qualifications to ensure they're a good match to your needs. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible. An interview with an evaluator is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. 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 impact your daily life and whether they impact work, school or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you to answer a series of questions. For example, you might be asked if you frequently miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators will also ask people who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses or children and for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey. The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disorders are contributing factors to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also screen for underlying conditions like seizures and hypothyroidism. Certain evaluators will offer your child or you 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 test examines the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you have either inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been happening. He will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent hereditary. Genes play a major role in whether your child or you experience symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. To be eligible for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months. To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. These could include other psychiatric disorders including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain. He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications, can also have these adverse effects. Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity present which means that you or your child is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and make the diagnosis.