Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It explains why people struggle with things such as staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Also be sure to inquire with your insurance company to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse is required to evaluate adults in order to determine the correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.
An in-depth interview about your health and symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they impact you. They might suggest that you talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
adhd diagnosis uk adults may also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other people 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 will suggest cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical issues that could be creating your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.
If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological testing.
The tests are designed to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also suggest a the spirometry test which evaluates the lung capacity of your. They may also recommend that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator could suggest that you or a child be tested for any conditions that have similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool prior to you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to make a diagnosis is through a medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing drugs.
This process can take 2 to 3 hours and includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about substance abuse or depression as 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 look over the patient's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of completing a full assessment. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient needs to display six or more symptoms for a diagnosis this is an indication of trouble.
For adults, the evaluator may ask the patient to complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted their lives. The assessor will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the severity of ADHD.
It's a great feeling for some adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. But the underlying emotions -- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not noticed until later in life -it can be a challenge. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and lack of focus. These characteristics can have serious consequences in many areas, including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It involves lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. It is possible to prepare by obtaining advice from trusted doctors, family members and friends. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure they meet your needs. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. 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 an evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms affect your life and whether they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You may be asked if you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who know you and your child well to complete questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses or siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.
Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental impairments are contributing factors to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They may even screen for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-target stimuli, and how long it takes for you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you have either inattentive or impulsive.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long the problems have been recurring for. He will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genes play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.
The professional will be interested in knowing how your or your child's ADHD impacts your daily life at home, work, and school. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in different situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child will also need to have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders the daily activities. This must last at least six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above including anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own sleep habits and any accidents or injuries in the past that could have affected your child's or your own brain development.
He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health conditions or medications you or your child is taking. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects, such as stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and certain sleep medications are also prone to these adverse effects.
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, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and determine the diagnosis.