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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It explains why some people have difficulty staying focused and following directions, or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse will need to examine adults to establish a correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD among adults. A detailed interview about your health and symptoms is often the first step in a preliminary assessment. The healthcare professional may be able to inquire about the length of time you've been suffering from symptoms and how they affect you. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines don't permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. In adhd undiagnosed in adults might recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could cause your symptoms. If your doctor is certain that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests. Tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be given the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also recommend that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural issues. In some cases, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD quizzes and questions that you can use as a screening tool before scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you suffer from ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. It may also include the doctor asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances 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 examine the student's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires. Some doctors are rushed and do not complete this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just once, rather than conducting an extensive examination. This could lead to a confusion about the diagnosis. If the doctor is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and insists that a patient needs to display six or more symptoms for a diagnosis this is a red flag. 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 assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator for ADHD. For some adults, it can be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. But the underlying emotions -like guilt for not meeting expectations, or regret that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in lifeare often complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and lack of concentration. These traits can lead to serious consequences in many areas including relationships work, health, and careers. The Tests It can be a challenge and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires lots of paperwork, interviews and tests. 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 that they're a good match for your needs. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment. An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your school, work or social relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you a series of questions. For instance, you could be asked if it is common to forget 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 fill out questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults could be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches or the nannies. Personal insights can reveal information that is not feasible to collect through a questionnaire. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They could also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying conditions like seizures and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will give your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test that has been approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention to detail and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the stimulus you want to respond. This will help the evaluators identify which type of ADHD you are whether you are Inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up A variety of mental health professionals are able to provide ADHD evaluations and provide a diagnosis. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist, psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been recurring for. The doctor will also inquire if there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is about 70%-80% heritable and that genetics are a major factor in determining whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms. He will inquire 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 situations since ADHD symptoms are different in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD the parent or child must have six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may also be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that may have impacted your child's or yourself's brain development. He will also consider whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can sometimes cause side effects such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other drugs like sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids. The expert will also need to determine if there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and determine the diagnosis.