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How Getting An ADHD Diagnosis Impacted My Life The Better
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It is the reason why some people have difficulty staying organized, following directions or staying focused.

Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Also make sure to inquire with your insurance company to see if they will cover ADHD evaluations for adults.

The Diagnosis Process

For adults, a correct diagnosis will require an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in adults.

A thorough interview with your symptoms and how you are feeling is usually the first step in the initial assessment. The healthcare professional will be looking to determine the length of time your symptoms have been present and how they affect you. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms.

The process of evaluation could also include questions regarding your childhood. Current guidelines allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder existed during childhood. So, the healthcare professional will need to review your school records and talk to those who knew you as a child. They'll also ask if you have experienced any other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.

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

If your healthcare provider is sure that your symptoms are caused by ADHD, they may recommend additional diagnostic tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include blood and urine testing and a medical exam and even psychological or educational testing.

The tests are designed to measure the levels of certain chemicals in your body that might be linked to ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They will also check your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered a spirometry, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest that you undergo an MRI of your brain to check for functional or structural issues. In some cases your evaluator could suggest that you or your child be evaluated for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are a variety of ADHD questions and quizzes that can be used as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with your doctor. These tests can be helpful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD however the only way to get a diagnosis is with an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough clinical interview and doesn't rush into prescribing drugs.

This process can take about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could influence their symptoms. The clinician may also ask about a history or depression or substance abuse as 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. Additionally, the therapist will want to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an adult spouse or family member could also be interviewed. Personal insight can reveal information that is not possible to obtain through questionnaires.


Some doctors rush through this step or insist on visiting a patient once rather than completing a complete assessment. This can lead to misdiagnosis. This is a red flag when the doctor is too rigid about the criteria to diagnose ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator might request that the patient complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how the symptoms have affected the patient's life. The assessor will then compare the ratings against the checklist and evaluate the patient for ADHD.

It's often a relief for some adults to finally receive 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 the life, can be complex. The inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD can have serious implications in a variety of areas of an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health.

The Tests

Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and confusing process. It requires a lot of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. You can prepare by getting advice from reliable doctors, family members and friends. Check out the credentials of the specialist and ensure that they meet your needs. It is essential to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure you or your child receives an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

An interview with an evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD evaluation. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms affect your life and if they impact work, school or relationships. The evaluator may also use rating scales that measure your ADHD symptoms. These are typically checklists in which you or someone you know is asked a series questions. You may be asked if you frequently forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also ask people who are familiar with you or your child to complete questionnaires on what they have observed. Adults may be asked to complete questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children might be asked to fill out questionnaires by coaches, teachers, daycare workers or nannies. Personal insights can provide information that isn't possible to obtain from a survey.

Some evaluators may also perform cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disorders 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 may even screen for underlying disorders like seizures and hypothyroidism.

Some evaluators may give you or your children an ADHD screening test to gauge your response to non-target and target stimuli. For instance the TOVA (Timed On-Only Visual Attention) is an FDA-cleared computer-based test that tests your ability to pay attention and recall a series of geometric shapes. The test examines how often you respond non-targeted stimuli and the time it takes you to respond to targeted stimuli. This can help evaluators determine the type of ADHD you have either impulsive or inattentive.

The Follow-Up

Multiple mental health professionals are able to diagnose ADHD and provide ADHD evaluations. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapist, or neurologist. The specialist will want 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. The disorder is believed to be 70%-80% heritable. Genetics play a significant role in whether your child or you will suffer from symptoms.

The expert will be interested in 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 across various settings, because the symptoms of ADHD differ when they are present in different situations. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the parent or child must exhibit six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for a minimum of 6 months.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist must rule out other conditions out. Other psychiatric conditions, anxiety and mood disorders as well as intellectual disabilities might be considered. Certain medical disorders that affect brain function, like thyroid issues, should be a possibility. The doctor will also inquire about your child's or yourself's sleep habits and any injuries or accidents in the past that could have affected your child or your brain's 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 are taking. Side effects of stimulant medications like those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and difficulty sleeping. Other medications, including antidepressants as well as some sleep medications may also cause these side effects.

The doctor will also have to determine whether there is an underlying comorbidity. This means you or your child may have a different condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD. This can include bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will go through all the data and determine an assessment.