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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a life changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying organized in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Check with your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults. The Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will be required to assess adults in order to determine the correct diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. Usually, an initial assessment will begin with a detailed interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing the length of time your symptoms have been a problem and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you to speak to a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. So, the healthcare professional will want to review your school records and speak to people who knew you as a child. They will also ask whether you've had any mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In some instances, an evaluator may suggest cognitive tests, like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out physical conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If a healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they will recommend further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests, a medical exam, and even psychological or educational tests. Tests are used to measure levels of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, for example dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a a spirometry test, which measures your lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural issues. In certain instances the evaluator might recommend that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms similar to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests can provide you with the information that you suffer from ADHD However, a doctor's clinical interview is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. The process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about 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. Additionally, the doctor will be required to review school records and interview teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they might also interview a spouse or family member. Personal experience can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires. Some doctors are overloaded and don't bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient only once, rather than conducting an entire assessment. This can lead a doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too fundamentalist about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and insists that a patient has to show six or more symptoms for a diagnosis this is a red flag. The evaluator may ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the severity of ADHD. For some adults, it can be a great relief to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, the underlying emotionslike guilt for failing to live up to expectations, or the grief that the disorder was not noticed until later in lifeit can be a challenge. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of a person's life, including relationships, work, and health. The Tests Finding an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and complicated process. adhd diagnosis uk adults requires a lot of paperwork, interviews, and tests. The best method to prepare is to seek suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and ensure that they are a match for your requirements. It is important to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate evaluation and the most effective treatment. The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an evaluator. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect your life and whether they interfere with work, school or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You might be asked whether you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also request people who know you and your child well to fill out questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or children; for children, it might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal insights can reveal information that is not possible to gather through a questionnaire. The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They may even screen for underlying conditions such as seizure disorders and hypothyroidism. A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test that has been approved by the FDA that measures your ability to pay attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes you to react to the stimuli you are targeting. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you have: Inattentive or impulsive. Follow-up Multiple mental health professionals are certified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what the issues you are facing and how long these problems have been occurring for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80% hereditary. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you experience symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, at school, and work. He will inquire with you or your child about their behavior in various situations since ADHD symptoms differ in different situations. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD the parent or child must exhibit at least six distinct signs of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months. To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will have to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric issues, mood and anxiety disorders and intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, may be considered. Additionally, the doctor will inquire about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any accidents or injuries that could have affected the development of your child's brain. The doctor will also determine whether the signs of ADHD in your children or yourself are connected to any health issues or medications you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and certain sleep medications may also cause these side effects. The specialist will also need to determine if there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child might be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review the information and determine a diagnosis.