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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why people have issues such as staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance company to see if it covers ADHD assessments for adults. Diagnosis Process A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults. A thorough interview with your health and symptoms is usually the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional will want to know how long it has been a problem and how they impact you. They might suggest that you speak with a close friend or family member about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present in childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to examine your school records and speak to people who knew you as in your early years. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In some instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms. If your healthcare provider is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the problem. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical examination and, possibly, psychological or educational testing. The tests will be used to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be associated with ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD questions and tests that can be used as a screening tool prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests can provide you with the information that you have ADHD, but the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. This process can last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient about ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. The physician may also inquire about a history or substance abuse or depression as 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 look over the student's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member could also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on only seeing a patient once instead of conducting a thorough evaluation. This can cause a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too fundamentalist about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and stipulates that a patient must display at least six symptoms to be diagnosed this is an indication of trouble. The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist, and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores with the checklist and evaluates for ADHD. For certain adults, it may be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the underlying emotionslike guilt for not meeting expectations, or grief that the disorder was not discovered until later in life- can be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD can have severe implications in a variety of areas of the life of a person, including relationships, work and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It involves lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. You can prepare by getting advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they're a good match for your needs. It is crucial to find a specialist who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the best possible treatment. An interview with the evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or yourself to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how your symptoms affect your life and if they interfere with school, work or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. For adults, this could be spouses and siblings and for children, it might be teachers, coaches and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal experience can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a questionnaire. The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They may also screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders. Some evaluators will provide you or your child an ADHD screening test that tests 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 and remember a number of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you are whether you are Inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The doctor will want to be aware of your concerns and how long the issues have been occurring. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80 percent hereditary. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you experience symptoms. He will ask about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different situations because ADHD symptoms vary in different situations. To be diagnosed with how do i get an adhd diagnosis or your child will also need to have at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. It must last for at least six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the specialist will need to rule other conditions out. This could include other psychiatric disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. In addition, the specialist will inquire about your child's sleep patterns and 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 symptoms of ADHD in you or your children are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child take. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these adverse effects. Finally, the expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity is present this means that you or your child has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and then make the diagnosis.