• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It explains why some people struggle with staying organized and following directions, or staying focused.

Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to a specialist. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients.

The Diagnosis Process

A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will be required to assess adults in order to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare experts who can diagnose adhd who can diagnose in adults.

Often, an initial assessment will start with a thorough interview about your life and symptoms. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been present and how they impact you. They might suggest that you talk to a friend or family member about your symptoms.

The process of evaluating you will include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without evidence that the disorder was present during childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will need to look over your school records and speak to people who knew you as an infant. They will also discuss whether you've had any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

In certain instances the evaluator may suggest cognitive testing for example, IQ tests or assessments for memory or learning issues. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders.

If your doctor is certain that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests will likely include urine and blood tests, medical examinations and, possibly, psychological or educational tests.

The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals within your body that could be associated with ADHD, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also examine your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also give you the spirometry test, which evaluates the capacity of your lungs. They may also suggest a brain imaging scan to look for structural or functional abnormalities. In some instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for other conditions that may have similar symptoms similar to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are numerous ADHD quizzes and questions that you can use as a screening tool prior to scheduling an appointment with your physician. These tests may provide you with the information that you have ADHD, but the clinical interview with your doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

The process can take between 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient the concept of 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 since these conditions 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 clinician will also want to look over the student's school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult adhd diagnosis criteria, they might also interview a spouse or a family member. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires.

Some doctors rush through this procedure or insist on visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete evaluation. This can lead to misdiagnosis. If the clinician is too rigid about the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and stipulates that a patient must display at least six symptoms to receive a diagnosis it'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 scores with the checklist and determine if they are a good indicator the severity of ADHD.

For some adults, it could be a relief to finally be diagnosed with ADHD. The sub-conscious emotions, like guilt or grief for not achieving expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, may be complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of a person's life, including relationships, career, and health.

The Tests

It can be challenging and confusing to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It involves a lot of paperwork, interviews and tests. The best way to prepare is to Get Diagnosed With Add suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you are confident with. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to make sure they're a good match to your needs. It is crucial to find a doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This will ensure that you or your child is getting an accurate evaluation and the best possible treatment.

The first step of an ADHD assessment is an interview with an assessor. The evaluator will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator will want to know how symptoms affect you and whether they impact your schoolwork, work or your relationships. The evaluator could also employ rating scales to measure your ADHD symptoms. They typically consist of checklists that ask you or someone close to you a series of questions. You might be asked whether you often forget appointments or how often you interrupt others.

Many evaluators also ask people who know you or your child well to complete questionnaires regarding their observations of your behavior. For adults, this could be spouses or children for children. It might be teachers, coaches or even daycare workers. Personal insight can uncover details that are not possible to obtain from a questionnaire.

Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental impairments are contributing to your symptoms. They can also test for mood disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, or incipient psychosis. They could also screen for underlying disorders like hypothyroidism and seizure disorders.

Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to measure the way you react to target and nontarget stimuli. 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 close attention and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will look at how do you get an adhd diagnosis often you react to non-target stimuli, as well as how to get diagnosed with adhd long it takes to respond to the stimulus you want to respond. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you are either impulsive or inattentive.

Follow-up

Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist or neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will want to know the cause of your concern 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 about 70% to 80 percent hereditary and that genetics play a significant role in determining whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms.

The specialist will want to know how your your child's ADHD affects your daily life at home, work, and at school. He will ask about your your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD differ when they occur in different settings. In addition, to qualify for an assessment of ADHD you or your child must display at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity or inattention and an impulsiveness that hinder daily functioning for at least 6 months.

To help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out any other conditions. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities could be a factor. Certain medical conditions that affect brain function, for example thyroid issues, should also be considered. Additionally, the doctor will ask about your or your child's sleeping patterns as well as any previous accidents or injuries that may have affected the development of your or your child's brain.

The doctor will also examine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are caused by any health condition or medications you or your child are taking. For instance, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can sometimes cause side effects, such as stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other medications, including antidepressants, sleep medications, and certain sleep aids.

The expert will determine if a comorbidity present which means that you or your child is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD like bipolar disorder, depression anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will review all of the data and make an assessment.