The Little-Known Benefits To Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It explains why people struggle with issues such as staying focused, following directions and being organized.
Ask your family physician or your therapist to refer you to an expert. Also, check with your insurance to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.
A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is usually the first step in a preliminary assessment. The healthcare professional will also want to know the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they affect you. They might also want to talk to your family member or close friend about your symptoms.
The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to examine your school records and talk to those who knew you when you were a child. They will also discuss whether you have had any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
In certain situations, the evaluator will recommend cognitive tests like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory problems. They may also recommend other medical exams to rule out physical issues that might be causing your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
If the healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are due to ADHD They will suggest further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests may include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological tests.
The tests are used to measure the levels of certain chemicals within your body that could be linked to ADHD, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. They might also suggest a the spirometry test which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They might also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some cases the evaluator could suggest 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 Interview
There are a variety of ADHD tests and quizzes that you can use to test your knowledge, prior to scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and doesn't rush into prescribing medication.
This process can last between 2 and 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible effects on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of addiction to drugs or depression since these problems can co-occur along 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 a family member. Personal experience can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors are in a rush and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This could lead to a confusion about the diagnosis. This is a red-flag when the doctor is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how these symptoms have impacted the patient's life. diagnosed with adult adhd compares the scores to the checklist and assesses for ADHD.
For certain adults, it may be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or the fact that the disorder was not noticed until later in the life, may be complicated. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These traits can have grave consequences in a variety of areas including relationships as well as careers and health.
The Tests
Finding an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing process. It involves many forms and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to get suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to make sure they are a good fit to your needs. It is important to find a doctor who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with the evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how your symptoms impact your life and if they interfere with school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also employ ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you a series of questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also solicit people who know you or your child well to fill out questionnaires based on their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could include spouses or children for children. It might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal insight can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a questionnaire.
Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine whether learning or mental disorders contribute to your symptoms. They might also screen for mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, incipient psychosis or substance abuse. They could also screen for underlying conditions such as seizures and hypothyroidism.
Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure your response to non-target and target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that tests your ability to pay close attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-target stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This can help evaluators determine if you suffer from impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist or neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will ask you what the issues you are facing and how long the issues have been affecting you for. He will also ask if there any family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent hereditary. Genes play a major role in whether your child or you experience symptoms.
The professional will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your life at home, work and at school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they are present in different environments. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must have six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning for at least six months.
To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he will need to rule out other conditions. These may include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above, anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical disorders that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your or your child's brain.
He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are linked to any other health issues or medications that you or your child takes. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these adverse effects.
Finally, the doctor will determine if a comorbidity is present, which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will review all of the data and determine an assessment.