How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect that your child or you has ADHD, it's important to seek medical attention. Start by asking your physician for a referral to an ADHD specialist or seeking out professionals recommended by friends and family.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more difficult to identify than children. A thorough assessment will include interviews with the patient, his or her teachers, parents, and completed rating scales. It will also include details about their past.
1. Speak to Your Doctor
If you or your child suspect that they may have ADHD or other disorders, you should speak with your family doctor. They can assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health for a more thorough evaluation. Get ready for your appointment by searching online for information about ADHD and keeping a diary of your symptoms. This will help you remain focused during the conversation and ensure that all your concerns are addressed.
Your doctor will conduct an in-depth interview, taking into consideration all your symptoms or those of your child. They might ask you to fill out questionnaires or checklists, and they may also gather feedback from adults who spend a lot of time with your child or yourself. The process can last up to an hour or longer.
To be considered to have ADHD, the behavior must be observed in two or more settings such as school, home or at work, and it has an adverse effect on your life, for instance, difficulty paying attention in class or ignoring important details at work. The symptoms must have been in place for a long time, beginning before the age of 12 and can't be caused by a psychological or medical issue.
Children are often diagnosed with ADHD in the first year of kindergarten or elementary school as parents notice that they are unable to sit still for long periods of time or follow directions, or wait their turn. It's not uncommon for adults to struggle with symptoms of ADHD for many years before they're diagnosed.
A diagnosis can be eye-opening and reassuring but it can also be overwhelming. You must deal with this new information at a mature stage of life and it's not always easy to find a practitioner who understands your concerns.
You should find someone with experience in treating and evaluating adult ADHD patients. They will be able to accurately determine your symptoms and give treatment suggestions. Once you've got a treatment plan in place it is crucial to stick to the plan and make sure you check in regularly.
2. Take an exam
The first step in determining whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD is to undergo an assessment. The majority of health care providers are able to take this test, and a few insurance policies have specialists listed who test adults with ADHD.
Mental health professionals will begin by looking at your symptoms or the child's, and when they began and how long they lasted. They will also want to know the impact your symptoms have had on your professional and personal lives. You and your family will be questioned. In some cases, the evaluator will ask your spouse or significant other to fill out questionnaires on how your conditions have impacted their lives, too.
ADHD is a very common disorder in adults. It can lead to difficulties in paying attention, forgetfulness, or inability to finish tasks. Other signs include impulsive behavior like interrupting other people in conversation or activities, not waiting for their turn, and hurrying to complete tasks without planning.
Finding out if you have ADHD is more difficult for adults than for children because the symptom guide that many doctors use--the DSM-5--is geared toward diagnosing kids. Some doctors also have preconceived ideas about the characteristics of people with ADHD appear like, so it's crucial to find an expert who is patient and is thorough in their evaluation of your child or yourself.
Some mental health professionals might utilize broad-spectrum scales for testing for psychiatric issues or emotional disorders as well as tests of memory recall and motor skills. In addition, they may do a brain scan or recommend you to a specialist in order to get more detailed information on how your symptoms affect your physical health and how your brain works.
In the majority of instances, the evaluator will end by giving you a report of their findings. They'll explain the results and recommend ways to help. You will likely have a positive experience. Many people report that the process is therapeutic and that they feel heard and felt understood. This is particularly relevant for adults who have never been diagnosed with ADHD. It's an essential step towards getting the treatment needed.
3. Visit a Psychiatrist
Adults typically seek treatment for ADHD when they realize the disorder is affecting on their work or relationships. During the appointment, doctors interview patients and inquire about their symptoms. They may also look at documents, such as old school reports or performance evaluations. Adults must have an upper threshold than children to receive a diagnosis: five or more symptoms over the past six months.
For adults, the psychiatrist might ask about relationships and other work issues, their sleeping habits and whether they have any issues with their use of drugs. They will also ask the person if they experienced ADHD symptoms as a child. If so then the doctor will employ a different checklist to assess current symptoms.
Certain psychiatrists specialize in treating adults with ADHD. This may make it easier to get an appointment and prescription. You can find doctors in your area who treat adults suffering from ADHD by contacting your insurance provider or utilizing online for resources. Talkspace for instance, connects people to mental health professionals with experience in treating ADHD. Some psychiatrists accept televisits, which lets you complete your appointments from your home or another location.
You may be able to find a psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD through your insurer or your local medical society. You can also search online or ask friends for recommendations. Often it is the best indicator of the abilities of a professional. It is also important to consider other things like gender and culture of the psychiatrist, or whether they're LGBTQIA+ or Kink allied.
The psychiatric doctor may suggest alternative treatments to help treat your ADHD symptoms, as well as medication. Counseling, for example can help you manage emotional issues that can cause ADHD. They may also suggest family or marriage therapy. This kind of therapy focuses on improving communication and tackling the problems that often arise when someone with ADHD struggles in relationships and the workplace.
It's important to remember that the most successful treatment for ADHD involves combining treatment with lifestyle and behavioral modifications. The goal is to reduce the symptoms to allow you to function more effectively at work, remain healthy, and live a great life.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can evaluate whether ADHD symptoms have reached a level that can significantly hinder daily functioning. An in-depth interview will analyze your child's development, personal and family history, and social life. They might also interview other people like teachers, coaches or nannies. Parents are often enticed to diagnose their children as having ADHD. However this could be harmful. Consult your doctor and ask for the referral to a specialist in mental health, who can do a thorough examination.
Bring all relevant medical and mental health documents, as well as school/work records, to your appointment. You or your child must come prepared to discuss how symptoms have affected your relationships, work or play. Your doctor will inquire about how often, how long and how severe the symptoms are. They may also use various questionnaires to determine the severity of your symptoms.
Some doctors employ a set of guidelines referred to as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help them determine if a person has ADHD. They will examine the severity of the following symptoms your child or you is suffering from:
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms have to have been present from childhood and must have affected your or your child's school, home and social life. They also have to be causing a significant impairment, and not be a result of another issue such as depression or anxiety.
A pediatrician or psychiatrist will examine the behavior of children with the behavior of other children in their age group and at the same grade. They will also look at their IQ, emotional and social abilities, as well as their family history.
Adults who have trouble meeting expectations at workplace or in their marriage, or find it hard to manage their finances and keep track of their appointments, are also likely to be assessed for ADHD. They will be asked to evaluate how often they forget things, disrupt others, forget important dates and deadlines, or make rash decisions. They could be provided with an assessment scale to judge their behavior and then asked to get feedback from those who spend a lot time with them, like spouse or a sibling for adults and teachers or daycare workers for kids.