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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It explains why some people struggle with staying focused, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family doctor or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact iampsychiatry.uk to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients. The Diagnosis Process For adults, a proper diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare providers who can diagnose ADHD among adults. A typical initial evaluation will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will want to know the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they impact you. They may ask you to speak with a close family member or friend about your symptoms. The evaluation process may also include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed in the early years of childhood. Therefore, the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and speak to those who knew you when you were an infant. They'll also ask if you've had any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety. In some cases, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory issues. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that may be causing your symptoms, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure problems. If your doctor is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and perhaps educational or psychological tests. Tests are conducted to determine the levels of specific chemicals that could be linked with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also examine your heart rate and blood pressure. You may also be offered the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances your evaluator may suggest that you or your child be evaluated for any conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD, like anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are a variety of ADHD quizzes and questionnaires that can be used as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with a physician. These tests may alert you to the possibility that you have ADHD, but the clinical interview with your doctor is the only method to confirm the diagnosis. The process could last between 2 and 3 hours. It involves explaining to the patient the concept of ADHD and the possible impact it has on their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about depression or substance abuse 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. The doctor will also want to look over the student's school records and speak with teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family members could also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires. Some doctors are in a rush and skip this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just once, rather than conducting an extensive assessment. This can lead to misdiagnosis. If a doctor is too fundamentalist about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and states that a patient must display more than six symptoms in order to be diagnosed, that's a red flag. The evaluator may 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 ratings against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD. For some adults, it can be a relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, can be complex. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and lack of focus. These traits can have serious consequences in many areas including relationships work, health, and careers. The Tests It can be difficult and confusing to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. It involves many forms as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best way to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure that they're a good match for your needs. It is crucial to find a professional who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. The initial step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with the evaluator. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions to find out more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect you and if they impact your schoolwork, work or your relationships. The evaluator can also use ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These are usually checklists where you or someone you know is asked a set of questions. For instance, you could be asked if you frequently forget appointments, or you might be asked how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators also request people who are familiar with you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires by coaches, teachers daycare workers, coaches, or parents. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through a questionnaire. Certain evaluators might also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They may even screen for underlying conditions like seizure disorders and hypothyroidism. A few evaluators will offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computerized test cleared 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 respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes for you to respond to targeted stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine if you suffer from an impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The doctor will ask you what your concerns are and how long they have been occurring for. He will also ask whether there any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genetics play a significant role in determining if you or your child will have symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will inquire about your or your child's behavior in various environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they are present in different settings. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child will also be required to show six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with everyday functioning. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months. To determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor will need to rule other conditions out. Other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, may also be considered. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or your own habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that might have affected your child's or yourself's brain development. The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are related to any health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants and some sleep medicines, can also have these adverse effects. Finally, the doctor will be required to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you is suffering from a different condition that may cause symptoms of ADHD, such as bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will go through all the information and come up with an assessment.