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Getting an ADHD DiagnosisA diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why some people have difficulty staying organized and following directions, or staying focused.Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to a specialist. Also be sure to contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.The Diagnosis ProcessA psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to determine the presence of ADHD among adults.Often, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional could be able to inquire about the length of time you have had symptoms and how they are affecting your life. They might also want to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.The process of evaluation could also include questions about your childhood. Since current guidelines don’t allow a doctor to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder’s presence in childhood, the healthcare professional may wish to look at your school records or talk with teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. They may also inquire if you’ve had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.In certain instances an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests such as IQ testing or tests for learning or memory issues. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.If a healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are related to ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, medical examinations and, possibly, educational or psychological testing.The tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals within your body that could be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to look for functional or structural issues. In some instances the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.The InterviewThere are many ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use as a screening tool, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and isn’t rushed into prescribing drugs.The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. It may also include the doctor asking about a past history of depression or substance abuse since these conditions 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. Additionally, the doctor will be required to review the 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 reveal details that aren’t possible to obtain from questionnaires.Some doctors are overloaded and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an extensive examination. This can lead to misdiagnosis. This is a red flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator compares the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD.For some adults, it could 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 the life, can be complex. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and a lack of concentration. These traits can lead to grave consequences in a variety of areas, including relationships, careers, and health.The TestsIt can be challenging and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork and interviews as well as tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the specialist and their credentials to ensure they are 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 gets an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible.The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator might ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and if they affect your school, work or social relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.Many evaluators also request 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 and for children, it could be coaches, teachers and nannies, or daycare workers. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency with which you respond to non-target stimuli, and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluaters determine which subtype of ADHD you are whether you are impulsive or inattentive.The Follow-UpMany kinds of mental health professionals can offer ADHD evaluations and make a diagnosis. It could be a psychiatrist or psychologist or psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been occurring for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be between 70 and 80 percent heritable. Genes play an important influence on whether your child or you will be affected.The specialist will be interested in knowing how your your child’s ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work, and school. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different environments because ADHD symptoms are different in different settings. In addition, to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must display at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months.To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, they must rule out other conditions. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities may be included. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, such as thyroid issues, may also be considered. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your child’s sleeping patterns and any previous injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child’s brain.He will also take into consideration whether your or your child’s ADHD symptoms are related to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child takes. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these side effects.Finally, the expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review the information and make the diagnosis.