Getting an ADHD Diagnosis

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

Ask your family doctor or therapist for a referral to an expert. Contact your insurance provider to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adults.

The Diagnosis Process

A psychologist, psychiatrist or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. These are the only healthcare professionals who can determine ADHD in adults.

A detailed interview about your health and symptoms is often the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional will also be interested in knowing how long your symptoms have been a problem and how they impact your daily life. They may ask you to speak to a close 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 existed in the early years of childhood. Therefore the healthcare professional will want to examine 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 problems, such as anxiety or depression.

In certain instances an evaluator might suggest cognitive tests, such as IQ tests or tests for memory or learning problems. They might also suggest different types of medical tests to rule out physical issues that could be causing your symptoms, for instance seizures or thyroid issues.

If your doctor is convinced that your symptoms are caused by ADHD They may suggest additional tests to confirm and determine the severity of the condition. These tests may include blood and urine tests, a medical exam, and possibly educational or psychological testing.

Tests are used to measure levels of certain chemicals that are associated with ADHD in your body, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They will also assess your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be offered an spirometry test, which measures lung capacity. They might also suggest a brain imaging scan to check for any functional or structural issues. In some instances, your evaluator might suggest that you or your child be tested for disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression and anxiety or mood and personality disorders.

The Interview

There are a variety of ADHD tests and questionnaires which can serve as a screening tool before you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests can be useful in alerting you to the possibility of ADHD However, the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to consult an experienced medical professional who conducts a thorough medical interview and does not rush into prescribing drugs.


This process could take anywhere from about 2 to 3 hours. It includes explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it may influence their symptoms. It may also include the clinician seeking out a history of depression or abuse of substances since these conditions may co-exist 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 psychologist or psychiatrist will also need to look over the patient's school records and discuss the situation with teachers. If the patient is an adult or spouse, a family member might also be questioned. Personal insight can uncover details that aren't possible to obtain from questionnaires.

Some doctors are overloaded and do not complete this step, or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out an entire evaluation. This can cause doctors to make a wrong diagnosis. This is a red-flag if the clinician is not adamant about the criteria for diagnosing ADHD.

For adults, the evaluator could ask the patient to complete scores for each symptom on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how these symptoms have impacted the patient's life. adhd uk diagnosis will then compare the scores with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD.

For some adults, it can be a great relief to be diagnosed with ADHD. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in the life, can be complex. The impulsivity and inattention that are typical of ADHD can have a significant impact throughout an individual's life, such as relationships, work and health.

The Tests

Finding an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and complicated process. It involves lots of paperwork as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. The best method to prepare is to ask for suggestions from family members, friends and doctors you trust. You should also research the physician and their professional credentials to make sure they're a good fit to your requirements. It is essential to find a doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD. This is to ensure that you or your child gets an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment.

An interview with an evaluater is the initial step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluator may ask you or your child questions to learn more about your symptoms. The evaluator would like to know how the symptoms impact your daily life and if they affect work, school or relationships. The evaluator can also use rating scales to assess 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 often forget appointments or how often you interrupt other people.

Many evaluators also request those who know you or your child well to fill in questionnaires about their observations of your behavior. Adults might be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or siblings. Children might be asked to complete questionnaires by teachers, coaches daycare workers, coaches, or nannies. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from a questionnaire.

The evaluators can also conduct cognitive tests to determine if learning or mental disabilities are contributing factors to your symptoms. They may also screen for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression, or psychosis that is in the beginning. They may also screen for underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizures.

Some evaluators will give you or your child an ADHD screening test that measures the way you react to target 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 recall a series of geometric shapes. The examiner will look at the frequency at which you respond to non-targeted stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators determine whether you have impulsive ADHD or inattentional ADHD.

Follow-up

Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. It could be a psychologist or psychiatrist, neurotherapist or psychotherapist. The specialist will want know what your concerns are and how long they have been recurring for. He will also ask if there is a family history of ADHD. The disorder is believed to be 70-80 percent heritable. Genetics play a significant influence on whether your child or you be affected.

He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at school, home, and work. He will ask about your or your child's behavior in different environments, since the signs of ADHD are different when they occur in different situations. In addition, to be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, your or your child must have at least six distinct signs of inattention or hyperactivity and the impulsivity that affect daily functioning for at least six months.

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

He will also take into consideration whether your or your child's ADHD symptoms are connected to any other health condition or medications you or your child is taking. The side effects of stimulant medication such as those used to treat ADHD, can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects can also be caused by other medications like sleep medications, antidepressants, and certain sleep aids.

Finally, the expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you is suffering from another illness that could cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder. The psychologist or psychiatrist will look over the information and then make a diagnosis.