Why Everyone Is Talking About Getting An ADHD Diagnosis Right Now
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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some individuals have difficulty staying organized, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will need to examine adults to determine the correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to determine the presence of ADHD among adults.
An in-depth interview about you and your symptoms is usually the first step in a preliminary assessment. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you to speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation will also involve questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don't allow a doctor 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 were with you as a child. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In some cases, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests such as IQ testing or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical conditions which could cause your symptoms.
If the healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are due to ADHD they will suggest additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical examination, and possibly psychological or educational testing.
Tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a the spirometry test, which evaluates the capacity of your lungs. They might also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator could suggest that you or a child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms with ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use to test your knowledge, prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can be useful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.
This process can last between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about any history of addiction to drugs or depression since these problems can co-occur along 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 patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can provide information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.
Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on seeing a patient once rather than completing a complete examination. This could lead doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag when the doctor is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator might ask the patient to complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how those symptoms have impacted their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and determines if there is ADHD.
For some adults, it can more info be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it -like guilt for not living up to expectations, or the grief that the disorder was not discovered until later in life- can be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of focus. These traits can lead to grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships, careers, and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as interviews and tests. You can prepare by getting recommendations from reliable doctors family members, friends and relatives. Check out the credentials of the specialist and make sure that they are a match for your needs. It is essential to find a professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate assessment and the best possible treatment.
The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or yourself to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your work, school or social relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.
Many evaluators will also request people who know you and your child well to complete questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children may be asked to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers, daycare workers, or the nannies. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.
A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They may even screen for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism.
A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at 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 will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have either impulsive or inattentive.
Follow-up
A variety of mental health professionals can offer ADHD assessments and provide an assessment. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist, psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will want know the cause of your concern and how long the problems have been present for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genetics play a significant factor in determining if your child or you suffer from symptoms.
The specialist will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD affects your life at home, work and at school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior across various situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they occur in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child require at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that affects daily functioning. It must last for at minimum six months.
To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to exclude other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, may be considered. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain.
He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are related to any other health condition or medications you or your child is taking. The adverse effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other medications, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids.
The expert will also need to determine if there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will look over the information and determine an assessment.