How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
A consultation with a specialist is the most reliable method to determine the cause of ADHD. Check your insurance and consider not being covered for an evaluation when you are unable to locate an expert who is covered by your insurance.
In an evaluation, experts will ask you questions about your childhood behaviors and school experiences. They may also interview you or your close friends. They may use ADHD symptoms checklists and standard tests to evaluate you or child.
Symptoms
People suffering from ADHD suffer from these issues more often and in greater depth. Everyone has lost keys or forgets to pay the cost at times. If you're concerned about your memory or inattention you should make an appointment with your doctor. You and a loved-one may be questioned, or your medical professional may request to speak to someone who is familiar with you such as your sibling, parent, teacher, or coach for children. The personal perspective of a person can reveal information that might not be obvious from a simple questionnaire.
In addition to examining your medical history, your health care provider will examine your symptoms and how they affect your life now. The doctor will also talk to you about your family background and lifestyle. This is important, as ADHD can have a significant impact on relationships and careers. Your doctor will want to be aware of any issues you have with anxiety or depression since these conditions can also impact your ability to focus and concentrate.
Your doctor might employ a scale for behavioral assessment or checklist to evaluate your ADHD symptoms. In some cases your doctor might also order psychological tests to measure executive functioning, reasoning skills spatial and visual abilities as well as working memory. These tests will help your doctor rule out other conditions that might cause your symptoms.
If your test results suggest that you may have ADHD, the evaluator will classify your symptoms and their effects into moderate, mild or severe. Mild symptoms are only an issue at school or at work occasionally, but they do not interfere with your daily life. Moderate symptoms are those that interfere with your daily functions but not to the point of severely affecting your work or social interactions. The most severe symptoms are significantly limiting your ability to perform at home, at work or in relationships.
A person can be diagnosed with ADHD if they have six signs that have been present for at least six months. The symptoms must first be noticed in the early years of childhood (technically, before the age of 12) and must cause difficulties in a variety of environments, such as at school, home, or on the job.
Diagnosis
The first step for many people suffering from ADHD is to see their primary health care provider. They may refer them to a specialist with expertise in diagnosing ADHD among adults. This could be a neuroologist or psychologist. In certain cases, an evaluator is an additional psychiatrist who has been trained in treating mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression.
The process of evaluation will begin with a clinical interview. This will review the person's personal, medical and psychiatric medical history. It is essential that they tell the truth during this time to get a complete picture of their issues and how they impact their life. In addition to the interview, the evaluator will likely use a behavioral rating scale that will list the most common behaviors that are associated with ADHD. These ratings will allow the examiner to determine how severe ADHD is.
The symptoms of ADHD typically appear during childhood, but to receive a diagnosis the disorder must cause significant issues in more than one area of a person's daily life. These areas include school, work and home. For instance, missing deadlines at work, having difficulty getting things done or ignoring important items could be an indication of ADHD. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must have been present in at least two of these areas for a minimum of six months.
If a person has ADHD it's not unusual for their symptoms to be confused with other disorders like anxiety or depression. This can cause a mistake or misdiagnosis. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD consult with an expert who is able to accurately assess their condition.
Although it's easy to find professionals who can treat children suffering from ADHD, finding someone to evaluate adults is more difficult. You can ask your physician for a recommendation or consult an organization in your area for recommendations. You can also check with your insurance policy to determine if it covers specialists who specialize in adult ADHD evaluations.
Treatment
If you're struggling to keep up with school or at work because of problems with your attention, getting an assessment of ADHD may be the answer. How do you get an accurate diagnosis? The first step is to have an expert in mental health who is skilled in diagnosing and treating it evaluate you. Asking friends and family for recommendations or looking online for professionals in your area is a good idea. Be sure that the person you choose has had experience working with adults with ADHD.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) defines the guidelines that doctors use to determine diagnoses. The evaluation begins with an interview, which delves into your emotional, social and academic history. Your counselor may also speak to a close family member or a friend who is familiar with you and request old school reports or records.
It is essential to speak the truth about your symptoms, both currently as well as in the past. Your provider needs to be able to determine if your issues are due to ADHD or something else, like anxiety or depression.
Your evaluator may also consider whether you faced similar problems as a young child. To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, your symptoms must have started in childhood-technically, before you were 12. Your evaluator may also want to review your medical records and any medication you're currently taking. They'll also be looking to determine if ADHD runs in your family because it's usually passed down from parent to child.
Your evaluator will use all the information they have to decide whether you have inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD or combined ADHD. You'll probably be given an examination on your body and some specialists will conduct psychological tests. However, these aren't always needed to determine if you have ADHD.
Support
Talking with your doctor is the best way to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. They may be able refer you to mental healthcare specialists who have worked with adults with ADHD.
You can also speak to family members and friends who know you. They can assist you in describing the symptoms and how they impact your life. For instance, they can describe the ways you may forget or lose things often or make mistakes at work or school or have difficulty staying focused on your work, and struggle to maintain relationships. They can also provide support in finding out what strategies or treatments might be beneficial to you.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be emotionally challenging for those suffering from the disorder. They may feel elated to finally have an explanation for their symptoms. They might also feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the need to alter their lifestyles or deal with their difficulties. They might even feel guilty for having a mental disorder. If you're considering an diagnosis of ADHD, try to remember that it's not something to be ashamed about.
The majority of people with ADHD are diagnosed in childhood however, you may be diagnosed as an adult if you exhibit a range of symptoms that started before the age of 12 years old. You also must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that occur regularly and interfere with your life.
A trained professional will conduct an interview with you and other members of your family members to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. They'll likely employ standardized ADHD ratings scales and lists of symptoms. They could also ask to see medical and school records. adhd diagnoses could also use tests of psychological assessment to gauge working memory and executive functioning (abilities like planning and decision-making), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning skills.
If you decide to consult an expert in mental health for an ADHD evaluation, check their website or call to inquire if they are specialized in treating adults suffering from ADHD. You can also search on the internet or ask your family and friends for recommendations for ADHD specialists in your area. It's important to choose someone who has the right training and experience in dealing with ADHD for adults, since they will be able to provide the most successful outcome for treatment.