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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying focused in their work, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Contact your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD assessments for adults. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose ADHD in adults. A typical initial evaluation will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long it has been a problem and how they impact your daily 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. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without proving that the disorder existed in childhood. So, the healthcare professional will want to review your school records and talk to those who knew you when you were in your early years. They'll also ask if you have had any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In some cases, the evaluator will recommend cognitive tests like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend other types of medical exams to rule out physical conditions that may be creating your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid issues. If your healthcare provider is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they might suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, a medical exam and, possibly, psychological or educational tests. Tests will be used to measure levels of certain chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also assess your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They may also recommend an imaging scan of the brain to determine if there are any functional or structural issues. In certain instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or a child be examined for conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD tests and questionnaires that can be used as a screening instrument before 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 receive a diagnosis is through an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and isn't rushed into prescribing medication. The process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes educating the patient about ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. It may also include the clinician asking about a past history of substance abuse or depression because 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 talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they may also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors are in a rush and don't bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD. The evaluator can ask adults to rate each symptom they see on an ADHD checklist and then give examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the ratings against the checklist and evaluate for ADHD. It's a great feeling for some adults to finally get an ADHD diagnosis. The underlying emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not achieving expectations or that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, may be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in many areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, career, and health. The Tests It can be difficult and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It requires many forms as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best method to prepare is to get suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. Examine the credentials of the doctor and make sure that they meet your needs. It is important to locate a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. An interview with the evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or yourself to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect your life and whether they affect school, work or relationships. The evaluator could also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically comprise checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You might be asked whether you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt others. Many evaluators also ask those who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches or nannies. Personal insights can reveal information that is not possible to gather from a questionnaire. The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They may also test for mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder as well as for signs of psychosis in the early stages or drug abuse. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and seizures. A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to target and nontarget stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli, and how long it takes you to react to the target stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine whether you have an impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the problems have been recurring for. He will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80% heritable, and that genes are a major factor in determining if you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms. The specialist will want to know how your your child's ADHD impacts your daily life at home, work and at school. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD you or your child will also require at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that hinders everyday functioning. This must last at minimum for six months. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must rule out other conditions out. These could include psychiatric disorders that are not listed such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and medical conditions that affect the brain, for example, thyroid disorders. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your child's brain. He will also look into whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health conditions or medications that you or your child takes. For instance, stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD may cause side effects such as stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, like antidepressants and some sleep medicines may also cause these side effects. The doctor will also have to determine whether there is a comorbidity, which means you or your child might be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could be bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will examine all of the data and come up with an assessment.