The Little-Known Benefits Of Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why people struggle with issues such as staying focused in their work, following directions and remaining organized.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also be sure to check with your insurance to see if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.
An in-depth interview about you and your symptoms is often the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional will want to know how long it has been present and how they impact you. They might also suggest that you speak to a family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder being present in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you have experienced any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
In certain instances the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that may be causing your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational testing.
Tests are conducted to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, such as 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 recommend an imaging scan of your brain to determine if there are any structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with a physician. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to get a diagnosis is through a medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn't rushed into prescribing drugs.
The process can last from between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. It could also include the doctor asking about a past history of substance abuse or depression since these conditions 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. The doctor will also want to review the patient's school records as well as 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 are rushed and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This can cause doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis, that's an indication of trouble.
The evaluator may 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 evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -- such as guilt for not living up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not recognized until later in life- can be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can have serious consequences in many areas including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You must also research the doctor and their professional credentials to make sure they're a good match to your requirements. It is crucial to find a doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and if they impact your school, work or your relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you often miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators also solicit those who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings; for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may 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 may also 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 how you respond both to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess how often you react to non-target stimuli, and the length of time it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you have whether you are inattentive or impulsive.
The Follow-Up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long the problems have been occurring. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80% hereditary. Genes play an important influence on whether your child or you experience symptoms.
The expert will want to know how your or your child's ADHD affects your daily life such as at work, home and school. He will ask about your your child's behavior across various environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they occur in different settings. To be eligible for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must have six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least 6 months.
To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. These could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above such as anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have affected your child or yourself's brain development.
how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are caused by any health condition or medications that you or your child are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches as well as difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these adverse effects.
Finally, the doctor will determine if a comorbidity present which means that your child or you 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 examine all of the information and come up with the diagnosis.