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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why some individuals have difficulty staying focused and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, check with your insurance to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a proper diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A thorough interview with your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in the initial evaluation. 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 evaluation process will also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider may wish to look at your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In certain instances an evaluator could recommend cognitive tests, like IQ testing or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could cause your symptoms. If your healthcare professional 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 may include blood and urine testing as well as a medical examination and perhaps educational or psychological testing. Tests are conducted to determine the levels of specific chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, for example dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can act as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests could provide you with the information that you have ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. It could also involve the doctor asking about a past history of depression or substance abuse 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 clinician will also want to examine the patient's school records as well as talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member could also be questioned. The personal perspective of a person can reveal information that cannot be gleaned through questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of conducting a thorough assessment. This could lead to a confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the severity of ADHD. It's a great feeling for some adults to get an ADHD diagnosis. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder was not noticed until later in the life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have severe implications in many areas of the life of a person, including relationships, work and health. The Tests It can be a challenge and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It involves many forms and interviews, as well as tests. You can prepare by getting advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they meet your requirements. It is essential to find a specialist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment. An interview with an evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how symptoms affect you and if they affect your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series questions. For instance, you might be asked if you often miss appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators will also solicit people who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from a survey. Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disabilities are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders. Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved test that measures your ability to pay attention and recall geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine how often you respond non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. check this site out can help evaluators determine which subtype of ADHD you are: inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long the issues have been recurring for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80 percent inheritable and that genetics play a big role in whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms. He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school and at work. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they occur in different environments. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least six months. To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out any other conditions. These could include other psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain. The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child take. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines are also prone to these side effects. The expert will need to determine if a comorbidity is present this means that your child or you is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the data and then make an assessment.