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Getting an ADHD DiagnosisA diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. This is why some people struggle with issues like staying focused, following directions and being organized.Ask your family doctor or your therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adult patients.Diagnosis ProcessA psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to determine the correct diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your lifestyle and symptoms. The healthcare professional could also inquire about how long you’ve been suffering from symptoms and how they are affecting you. They may ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.The process of evaluating you will include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder was present during childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and talk to people who knew you as in your early years. They may also inquire if you have ever had any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.In some cases the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.If your doctor is certain that your symptoms are due to ADHD they might suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.The tests are used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that could be related to ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of the brain to look for functional or structural issues. In certain instances your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be examined for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders.The InterviewThere are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool before you make an appointment with a physician. adhd diagnosing 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 clinical interview and does not rush into prescribing medication.This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes time explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a past history of depression or abuse of substances, as those problems may co-exist 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. In addition, the clinician will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal experience can reveal information that can’t be gleaned from questionnaires.Some doctors are in a rush and don’t bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, instead of conducting a full evaluation. This could lead doctors to make an incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag in the event that the physician is too rigid in their criteria to diagnose ADHD.For adults, the evaluator could ask the patient to complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and give examples of how these symptoms have impacted their lives. The evaluator compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.For certain adults, it may be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, the emotions that accompany it — such as guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or regret that the disorder was not noticed until later in lifeit can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual’s life, such as relationships, work, and health.The TestsFinding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. It requires lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they’re a good match for your needs. It is essential to find specialists who specialize in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child gets an accurate evaluation and the best treatment possible.The first step in an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluation expert. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect your life and if they interfere with work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. For example, you might be asked if you often miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people.Many evaluators will also ask people who are familiar with your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be required to complete questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers or parents. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They might also test for underlying disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism.Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures how you respond to target and non-target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-approved computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will assess the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluaters determine which subtype of ADHD you are: inattentive or impulsive.Follow-upSeveral kinds of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD assessments and provide an assessment. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are, and how long these problems have been occurring for. The specialist will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% hereditary. Genes play an important role in whether your child or you experience symptoms.The expert will be interested in how your or your child’s ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work, and at school. He will inquire about your or your child’s behavior in various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD you or your child must exhibit six or more documented signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they will need to exclude other conditions. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above including mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The specialist will also ask about your child’s or yourself’s sleep habits and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have impacted your child’s or your brain’s development.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 such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants as well as some sleep medications are also prone to these adverse effects.The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child may have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the data and determine the diagnosis.