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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It explains why some people have difficulty staying in control in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Also be 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 psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. A typical initial evaluation will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional may also inquire about how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might suggest that you speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and talk to those 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 instances an evaluator might suggest cognitive tests such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory issues. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical issues that might be causing your symptoms, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If your doctor is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational tests. Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also give you the spirometry test, which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They may also recommend a brain imaging scan to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some instances your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD, like anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of 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 get an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs. The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient the concept of ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems 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. Additionally, the doctor will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member might also be interviewed. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this process or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of conducting a thorough examination. This could lead to a confusion about the diagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient has to show at least six symptoms to receive a diagnosis it's a red flag. The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The assessor will then compare the ratings against the checklist and evaluate the severity of ADHD. For some adults, it can be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or grief for not living up to expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be a bit complicated. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas such as relationships, careers, and health. The Tests It can be challenging and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they are a match for your requirements. It is crucial to find a doctor who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the most effective treatment. The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator can also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You may be asked if you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators will also solicit people who know you and your child well to complete questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children may be required to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches, or parents. Personal insight can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a survey. Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They may even screen for underlying conditions like seizures and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will provide your child or you an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. 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 examiner will look at 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 if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are, and how long these problems have been happening. iampsychiatry.uk will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genes play a big role in determining if you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school and at work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different settings because ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child will also require six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders everyday functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum for six months. To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he will need to exclude other conditions. These may include psychiatric disorders that are not listed, anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain. He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications you or your child is taking. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other drugs such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids. The expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present which means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD, such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine all of the data and make a diagnosis.