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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Being diagnosed with 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 adult diagnosis of adhd ADHD Diagnosis or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Check with your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients. The Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse is required to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults. A detailed interview about your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in the initial evaluation. The healthcare professional might also ask how long you have had symptoms and how they affect 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 regarding your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to review your school records and talk to those who knew you as in your early years. They'll also ask if you have experienced any other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical ailments that could be creating your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders. If your healthcare provider is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and possibly educational or psychological testing. The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also assess 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 functional or structural problems. In some instances your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be tested for any conditions that have similar symptoms with ADHD, like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are plenty of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool prior to you make an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis is to consult an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medications. The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating 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 because these issues 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 review the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. Personal insight can uncover facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on seeing a patient one time rather than completing a complete assessment. This can cause to a doctor making a wrong diagnosis. This is a red flag in the event that the physician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adults, the evaluator might request the patient to fill out ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how the symptoms have impacted their lives. The evaluator then compares the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD. It can be a relief for some adults to get an ADHD diagnosis. However, the underlying emotions- such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or grief that the disorder was not discovered until later in lifeare often complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, career and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It involves a lot paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they're a good fit for your needs. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate evaluation and the best treatment possible. An interview with an evaluator is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The assessor will ask questions of your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how symptoms affect you and if they impact your work, school, or relationships. The evaluator could also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone who is close to you several questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also solicit people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or children for children. It could be coaches, teachers or even daycare workers. Personal experience can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a survey. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They may even screen for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders. Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure how you respond both to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared by the FDA that tests your ability to pay attention to detail and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine the type of ADHD you are: impulsive or inattentive. The Follow-Up Several kinds of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and provide an assessment. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been present for. The doctor will also inquire whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80 percent hereditary. Genes play a major influence on whether your child or you suffer from symptoms. The expert will want to know how your or your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work, and school. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they occur in different environments. In addition, to be eligible for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must have at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity or inattention and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will need to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, should also be considered. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain. The doctor will also examine whether the signs 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 can also be caused by other drugs, including sleep medications, antidepressants, and some sleep aids. The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and make the diagnosis.