It's The Good And Bad About Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
Wiki Article
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying organized in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Contact your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse is required to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to determine the presence of ADHD among adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and the symptoms. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to look over your school records and talk to those who knew you as in your early years. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In some cases an evaluator might suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for learning or memory issues. They might also suggest other medical exams to rule out physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
If a healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and even psychological or educational tests.
Tests are conducted to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also recommend a a spirometry test, which measures the capacity of your lungs. They might also suggest a brain imaging scan to check for any structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or a child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used to test your knowledge, before making an appointment with your physician. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you may have ADHD however the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
The process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about substance abuse or depression as these conditions 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. In addition, the clinician will be required to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this step or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of completing a full evaluation. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator may request the patient to fill out scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted their lives. The evaluator then compares the scores to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
It can be a relief for some adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not meeting expectations or the fact that the disorder was not noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health.
The Tests
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It requires lots of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to get recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Check out the credentials of the specialist and ensure that they are a match for your requirements. It is crucial to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the best possible treatment.
The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you several questions. For instance, you could be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators will also solicit people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or siblings and for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal experience can provide information that isn't possible to gather through a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test that has been approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and retain 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 targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify the type of ADHD you are: impulsive or inattentive.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The doctor will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long these problems have been affecting you for. He will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% heritable. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you will be affected.
He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home and at work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various settings because ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. To be eligible for a here diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least six months.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. These could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleep patterns and any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
The doctor will also consider whether the symptoms of ADHD in your children or yourself are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child are taking. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause side effects such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other medications such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and certain sleep aids.
The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child might have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the data and then make an assessment.