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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying focused and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family physician or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to identify ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional will be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they impact you. They might ask you to talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process will also involve questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. So, the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and talk to those who knew you when you were an infant. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. In certain situations, the evaluator will recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical issues that may be creating your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid disorders. If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests could include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological tests. Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also give you a spirometry test, which measures the capacity of your lungs. They may also recommend an imaging scan of the brain to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some cases, the evaluator may suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a physician. These tests may help you recognize that you have ADHD However, an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. This process could take anywhere from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may affect his or her symptoms. It could also include the doctor asking about a history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems may co-exist 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 therapist will be required to review school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors are overloaded and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient only once, rather than conducting a full assessment. This can lead to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adults, the evaluator may ask the patient to complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have affected his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator for ADHD. For certain adults, it may be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work, and health. The Tests The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It involves many forms as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best method to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure they are a match for your needs. It is important to locate specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible. An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your work, school or social relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you to answer a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults could be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or the nannies. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a survey. The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder or psychosis that is in the beginning. They may even screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will give your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. Follow-up A variety of mental health professionals can provide ADHD evaluations and make a diagnosis. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want to know the cause of your concern and how long they have been recurring for. He will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80% hereditary. Genes play an important factor in determining if your child or you will suffer from symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school and at work. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they are present in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child will also require at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that hinders the daily activities. such a good point must last for at minimum for six months. To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, should also be considered. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your child's brain. He will also look into whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these side effects. Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity present this means that you or your child is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD, such as bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and make an assessment.