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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. This is why some people struggle with things such as staying focused on their task, following directions and staying organized. Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults. Diagnosis Process A psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist nurse is required to evaluate adults in order 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 the initial assessment. The healthcare professional will want to know the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect you. They might ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms. The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder existed in childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and talk to people who knew you as an infant. They may also inquire whether you've had any mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases an evaluator could suggest cognitive tests like IQ testing or tests for learning or memory problems. They might also suggest other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that might be creating your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If a healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are related to ADHD, they will recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests could include blood and urine tests, medical examinations, and possibly psychological or educational tests. The tests are used to determine the levels of certain chemicals in your body that could be associated with ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances your evaluator may suggest that you or a child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool prior to you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD, but the only way to make a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medication. This process can last 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 history of substance abuse or depression, as those problems 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 therapist will need to look over the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member could also be questioned. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires. Some doctors are rushed and don't bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient just once, rather than conducting an extensive assessment. This can lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. If a doctor is too fundamentalist about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient has to show more than six symptoms in order for a diagnosis, that's a red flag. For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected his or her life. The evaluator will then compare the ratings to the checklist and evaluates for ADHD. For some adults, it can be a relief to finally receive a diagnosis of ADHD. But the underlying emotions -such as guilt over not meeting expectations, or the grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in lifeit can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, career, and health. The Tests It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot paperwork as well as interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from family, friends and doctors you are confident with. You must also research the doctor and their credentials to make sure they are a good fit for your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate assessment and the best treatment possible. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how the symptoms affect you and if they interfere with your schoolwork, work or social relationships. The evaluator could also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. They usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you several questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people. diagnose adhd ask those who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be required to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches or the nannies. Personal insight can reveal details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire. Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or intellectual disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They might even screen for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizures. Certain evaluators will offer your child or you an ADHD screening test that measures 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 tests your ability to pay close attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. Follow-up A variety of mental health professionals are able to offer ADHD evaluations and make an assessment. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist, psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will ask you what your concerns are and how long they have been happening. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is believed that the disorder is 70%-80 percent hereditary, and that genes play a significant role in determining whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms. The professional will be interested in how your or your child's ADHD affects your life such as at work, home and at school. He will inquire about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they are present in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must exhibit six or more documented signs of hyperactivity, inattention or an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months. To aid the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, they will need to rule out any other conditions. Other psychiatric issues, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, may be considered. In addition, the doctor will inquire about your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your or your child's brain. He will also consider whether your your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health issues or medications that you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can cause side effects such as stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can be caused by other medications such as antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids. The specialist will also need to determine if there's a comorbidity, which means you or your child might be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review all of the information and make a diagnosis.