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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people struggle to stay focused, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also, check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. An in-depth interview about your health and symptoms is usually the first step in the initial evaluation. The healthcare professional could also ask how long you've had symptoms and how they impact your life. They might suggest that you talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms. The process of evaluation will also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed in the early years of childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were an infant. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In certain instances, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, such as IQ testing or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If your healthcare professional is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and possibly educational or psychological testing. The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be linked to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest a brain imaging scan to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In some cases the evaluator could recommend that you or your child be examined for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms similar to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are numerous ADHD quizzes and questions that can be used as a screening tool before making an appointment with your doctor. These tests can provide you with the information that you may have ADHD However, the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. This process can last between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. adult adhd diagnosis uk could also involve the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems are often co-occurring 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 review the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only visiting a patient once instead of completing a full assessment. This could lead a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria for diagnosing ADHD. For adults, the evaluator could request that the patient complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how these symptoms have impacted the patient's life. The evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD. For some adults, it could be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, can be a bit complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications throughout a person's life, including relationships, career, and health. The Tests Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It involves a lot paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you trust. You should also research the physician and their credentials to ensure they're a good fit to your needs. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluation expert. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to understand how your symptoms affect you and if they impact your work, school or your relationships. The evaluator could also employ ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you to answer a series of questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with your child or you to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings; for children, it might be teachers, coaches, nannies or daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover information that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire. The evaluators can also perform cognitive testing to see whether learning or intellectual impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders. Certain evaluators will offer 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 cleared 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 how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have whether you are impulsive or inattentive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist as well as a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are, and how long the issues have been occurring for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genetics play a significant role in determining if you or your child will have symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will ask about your your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they occur in different environments. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD the parent or child must display six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months. To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. These may include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above such as anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain. The doctor will also determine 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. The adverse effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and certain sleep medications, can also have these side effects. Finally, the expert will determine if a comorbidity present which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine the data and then make an assessment.