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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 in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also be sure to check with your insurance to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process For adults, a proper diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine how long it has been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They might also suggest that you talk to a family member or close friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder being present in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who were with you as a child. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. In certain situations the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If the healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. getting a adhd diagnosis may include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological testing. Tests are used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that have similar symptoms similar to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests may help you recognize that you have ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process can last from 2 to 3 hours and includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. It could also include the doctor asking about a history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems 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. In addition, the clinician will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient only once, instead of conducting an extensive examination. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too fundamentalist about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and states that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis this is an indication of trouble. For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how those symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD. It can be a relief for some adults to get an ADHD diagnosis. However, the underlying emotionssuch as guilt over not living up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life- can be complicated. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and lack of attention. These traits can have serious consequences in many areas such as relationships as well as careers and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by getting recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure they meet your requirements. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child gets an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible. The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your school, work or social relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators will also request people who know you and your child well to fill out questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be required to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or parents. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to gather from a survey. The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizures. Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention to detail and remember a number of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine which subtype of ADHD you are either inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will want to know the cause of your concern and how long the issues have been recurring for. He will also ask whether there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genes play a major influence on whether your child or you be affected. The professional will want to know how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life, including home, work and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in various situations because ADHD symptoms are different in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD, your or your child must display six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out any other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be a possibility. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that could have impacted your child's or your own brain development. He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health issues or medications that you or your child is taking. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects, such as stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants and some sleep medicines, can also have these side effects. The doctor will also have to determine whether there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the data and determine an assessment.