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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. get diagnosed with adhd is the reason why some people struggle with staying focused, 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 they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare providers who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A thorough interview with your health and symptoms is usually the first step in an initial assessment. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might also want to talk to a family member or close friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. Because current guidelines do not permit a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without proof of the disorder's presence in childhood, your healthcare provider might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational tests. The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to check for any structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be examined for disorders that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD questions and quizzes that can act as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in identifying the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to receive a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing medication. The process could last between 2 and 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 seeking out a history of depression or substance abuse, as those problems 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. The psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to look over the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete evaluation. This can cause a doctor to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out scores for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how the symptoms have impacted his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess for ADHD. For some adults, it can be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not meeting expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be complex. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have severe implications in a variety of areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It requires many forms, interviews and tests. It is possible to prepare by obtaining advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Check out the credentials of the specialist and ensure that they meet your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment. An interview with the evaluator is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how your symptoms affect your life and whether they impact school, work or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you several questions. For instance, you might be asked if you often forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. Adults could be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or parents. Personal experience can reveal information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire. The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disorders are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They could also screen for underlying disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism. Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates 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 measures your ability to pay attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine which subtype of ADHD you are either Inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will want be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been occurring. The specialist will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genes play a major factor in determining if your child or you will be affected. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different situations. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must have at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out any other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid problems, can be considered. The specialist will also ask about your child's or your own habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that may have affected your child or your brain's development. The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are caused by any health condition or medications you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and certain sleep aids. 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, such as bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make an assessment.