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A Handbook For Getting An ADHD Diagnosis From Beginning To End
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life-changing experience. It is the reason why some people struggle with staying focused and following directions, or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapy provider to refer you a specialist. Also be sure to inquire with your insurance company to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

Diagnosis Process

A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will need to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare professionals who can identify ADHD in adults.

A thorough interview with you and your symptoms is often the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long it has been present and how they impact your daily life. They might suggest that you speak to a close friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Since current guidelines do not allow a physician to diagnose ADHD in adults without evidence of the disorder's presence in childhood, the healthcare professional might want to review your school records or talk to teachers or other individuals who were with you as a child. They will also ask whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

In certain instances the evaluator might suggest cognitive testing like IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning problems. They may also recommend that you take other kinds of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms.

If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are due to ADHD They may suggest additional diagnostic tests to verify and determine the severity of the condition. These tests could include blood and urine testing, a medical exam, and perhaps educational or psychological testing.

Tests will be used to determine the levels of specific chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, for example serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They will also test your blood pressure and heart rate. You could also receive the spirometry test to determine your lung capacity. They may also suggest that you undergo a brain scan to check for structural or functional abnormalities. In certain instances the evaluator could suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other disorders that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD like depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are plenty of ADHD tests and questionnaires which can serve as a screening instrument before you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be useful in identifying the possibility of ADHD however the only way to make a diagnosis is with an expert medical professional who conducts a thorough interview and does not rush into prescribing medication.

The process could last between 2 to 3 hours. It includes educating 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. The doctor will also want to look over the patient's school records as well as discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult, a spouse or family member might also be interviewed. Personal experience can reveal details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.

Some doctors are overloaded and do not complete this step, or they may insist on seeing a patient just once, instead of conducting an extensive examination. This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis. This is a red flag in the event that the physician is not adamant about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete ratings for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and then provide examples of how these symptoms have affected the patient's life. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator for ADHD.


It can be a relief for some adults to finally be given an ADHD diagnosis. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or resentment for not living up to expectations or that the disorder was not recognized until later in life, can be complex. The inattention and impulsivity that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.

The Tests

Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and difficult process. It involves a lot of paperwork and interviews, as well as tests. The best method to prepare is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and doctors you are confident with. Research the specialist's credentials and make sure they are a match for your needs. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This will ensure that you or your child receives a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

An interview with the evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator will ask you or your child questions in order to know more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to understand how your symptoms affect you and whether they interfere with your work, school or your relationships. The evaluator might also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. These usually consist of checklists that ask you or someone around you several questions. You may be asked if you are prone to forgetting appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also ask those who know your child or you to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults might be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses, children, or parents. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by teachers, coaches, daycare workers or parents. Personal insights can provide information that isn't feasible to collect from a questionnaire.

The evaluators can also perform cognitive tests to determine whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. They might also look for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or incipient psychosis. They might even screen for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizures.

Certain evaluators might offer you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to stimuli that are targeted and non-target. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test that has been approved by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention and retain a variety of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond to non-target stimuli, as well as how long it takes to respond to the target stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify the type of ADHD you are either impulsive or inattentive.

The Follow-Up

Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychologist or psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or neurologist. The specialist will want to know what your concerns are and how long the issues have been present for. The doctor will also inquire about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70%-80 percent hereditary and that genetics are a major factor in whether you or your child will suffer from symptoms.

The professional will be interested in knowing how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life, including home, work and school. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different settings, because the symptoms of ADHD are different when they are encountered in different environments. To be diagnosed with ADHD either you or your child be required to show at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that affects the daily activities. It must last for at least six months.

To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out any other conditions. These may include other psychiatric disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and medical conditions that affect the brain, such as thyroid disorders. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's sleeping habits, as well as any injuries or accidents in the past that might have affected your child or your own brain development.

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 adverse effects of stimulant medications such as those used to treat ADHD may include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other drugs, such as antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these side effects.

The specialist will also need to determine if there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child could have another condition that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the information and make an assessment.