The Little-Known Benefits Of Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some individuals struggle with staying focused in their work, following directions or staying focused.
Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance company to determine if they cover ADHD evaluations for adults.
The Diagnosis Process
For adults, a valid diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. These are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD among adults.
Often, an initial assessment will begin with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional might be able to inquire about the length of time you have had symptoms and how they affect your life. They may ask you to talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.
The process of evaluation could also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. So the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and speak to people who knew you as a child. They will also discuss whether you've had any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
In certain instances the evaluator may recommend cognitive testing like IQ tests or tests for memory or learning issues. They may also recommend different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that might be creating your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid disorders.
If your healthcare professional is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the problem. These tests will likely include blood and urine tests, a medical exam and, possibly, educational or psychological testing.
Tests are conducted to measure levels of certain chemicals that may be associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also check your heart rate and blood pressure. You could also receive an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances, the evaluator may suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.
The Interview
There are many ADHD questions and quizzes which can serve as a screening tool before you make an appointment with a doctor. These tests could alert you to the possibility that you have ADHD however a doctor's clinical interview is the only method to confirm the diagnosis.
This process can last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating the patient the concept of ADHD and its possible effects on their symptoms. It could also involve the clinician asking about a history of substance abuse or depression since these conditions 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 doctor will be required to review the school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member might also be questioned. Personal experience can reveal information that can't be gleaned from questionnaires.
Some doctors are rushed and don't bother with this step or they may insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire examination. This could lead a doctor to make a wrong diagnosis. If a doctor is too rigid about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and stipulates that a patient has to show six or more symptoms for a diagnosis it's an indication of trouble.
The evaluator could ask adults to rate each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these afflictions have affected their lives. The evaluator will then compare the scores against the checklist and evaluate the severity of ADHD.
It's often a relief for some adults to get an ADHD diagnosis. However, the emotions that accompany it -such as guilt over not living up to expectations, or the grief that the disorder wasn't recognized until later in life- can be complicated. The inattention and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact in a variety of areas of the life of a person, including relationships, career and health.
The Tests
It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as interviews and tests. You can prepare by obtaining recommendations from trusted doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the specialist and their qualifications to ensure they're a good fit to your needs. It is essential to find an expert who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that your child or you receives a precise diagnosis and the best treatment.
An interview with an evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD evaluation. The assessor will ask questions of your child or yourself to gather information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how your symptoms affect your life and if they interfere with work, school or relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a series of questions. You may be asked if you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.
Many evaluators also ask people who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires about what they have observed. Adults might be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children read more may be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches, or the nannies. Personal experience can provide information that isn't possible to gather through a questionnaire.
Some evaluators will also perform cognitive tests to determine whether learning or intellectual impairments contribute to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder or an underlying psychosis. They could also test for medical conditions that are underlying such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that tests how you respond to targeted and non-target stimuli. For instance, the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computerized test that assesses your ability to pay attention and remember a series of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine the frequency at which you respond to non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentive ADHD.
Follow-up
Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The doctor will want to know the cause of your concern and how long they have been present for. The specialist will also ask whether there is a 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, including home, work, and at school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in different situations, as the signs of ADHD differ when they occur in different settings. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must exhibit at least six distinct signs of inattention or hyperactivity and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least six months.
To make a correct diagnosis, the specialist will have to rule other conditions out. This could include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above such as mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleep patterns and any injuries or accidents that might have affected the development of your child's brain.
The doctor will also determine whether the signs of ADHD in you or your children are caused by any health condition or medications that 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. These side effects can also be caused by other drugs such as sleep medications, antidepressants, and a few sleep aids.
The specialist will also need to determine whether there is a comorbidity. This means that you or your child could be suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This could include bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the information and make a diagnosis.