How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
The most reliable way to obtain an ADHD diagnosis is to have a clinical interview with an expert. Make sure you check your insurance and think about going out of network for an evaluation in the event that you are unable to find an expert covered by your plan.
During the assessment the experts will ask questions about your school and childhood experiences. They might also interview you or your friends. They might use standardized tests and ADHD checklists for symptoms to evaluate you or your child.
Signs and symptoms
People who suffer from ADHD have these problems more frequently and in greater depth. Everyone is prone to losing keys or forgetting a bill every now and then. If you're concerned about your memory loss or inattention you should make an appointment with your doctor. The evaluation could include an interview with you as well as a loved one or your health care provider might ask to speak with someone who knows you well -- such as your spouse or a sibling for adults or a teacher or coach for children. The personal perspective of a person can reveal information that isn't apparent from simple questionnaires.
Your doctor will also examine your symptoms and how these affect your life today. They will also discuss your family history and lifestyle. This is important because ADHD can affect your relationships and careers. Your physician will also want to talk with you about your experience with anxiety or depression, as these conditions may hinder your ability to focus and remain focused.
Your doctor might use a behavioral rating scale or checklist to evaluate your ADHD symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may also order psychological tests to measure executive functioning, reasoning skills spatial and visual abilities as well as working memory. These tests can help your doctor determine if there are other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
If your results indicate that you are likely to have ADHD, your assessor will categorize your symptoms and effects as mild, moderate or severe. Mild symptoms are those that only cause occasional problems at work or school, but do not significantly affect your everyday activities. Moderate symptoms are those that hinder your daily activities but not to the extent of affecting your social or work interactions. In the case of severe symptoms, you will notice symptoms that significantly hinder your ability to function in the workplace, at home or with relationships.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the person must have at least six ongoing symptoms and be suffering from them for at minimum six months. The symptoms must first be noticed in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12) and they must be causing issues in multiple places such as at home, school or on the job.
Diagnosis
For many people with ADHD the first step towards getting an assessment is to visit an primary doctor. They might refer them to a specialist with experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults. It could be a psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist. In some cases the person who evaluates will be a psychiatrist who is skilled in treating other mental health issues such as bipolar and depression.
The process of evaluation will begin with a consultation. The interview will consist of a thorough review of the patient's medical, psychiatric and personal history. It is important that people are honest during this process to obtain a complete understanding of their symptoms. The evaluator can also use a behavioral scale to rate the most common behaviors associated with ADHD. These ratings can aid the evaluator in determining how severe a person's ADHD is.
The signs of ADHD typically manifest during the early years of life, but to get a diagnosis the disorder must cause significant problems in multiple areas of a person's daily life. These areas include work, school and home. For instance, if you miss deadlines at work, having trouble keeping up with housework or forgetting important items can be an indication of ADHD. To be diagnosed with ADHD, 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 uncommon for their symptoms to be confused with other disorders, such as anxiety or depression. adhd diagnosis adult can result in an inaccurate or misdiagnosis. It's crucial for those with ADHD to see a specialist who can accurately evaluate their condition.
While it's simple to find experts who treat children with ADHD, finding someone to evaluate adults can be more difficult. Ask your doctor for a recommendation or contact a local group for suggestions. You can also check with your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists who specialize in adult ADHD assessments that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
If you're struggling to keep up with school or at work because of trouble with your attention, obtaining an assessment of ADHD may be the answer. But how do you find one? The first step is an assessment by a mental health professional qualified to recognize it. Asking your family and friends for recommendations or searching online for professionals in your locality is a good idea. You can determine whether the person has experience working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) sets the guidelines that doctors use to make diagnoses. The evaluation begins with an interview to learn about your academic, social and emotional history. Your provider may also speak to a family member or friend who knows you very well and request to see old school documents or report cards.
It's crucial to be totally transparent about the symptoms you're experiencing now and how they've affected your life in the past. Your doctor will be able to determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or something else such as anxiety or depression disorder.
Your evaluator might also consider whether you experienced similar difficulties when you were 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 might also ask for your medical records or the list of medications you're currently taking. They'll also be interested in knowing whether ADHD is a family trait, since it's often 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 likely be offered an examination for physical health and some doctors may conduct psychological tests. These tests are not always required to diagnose ADHD.
Support
Talking to your doctor is the best way to find out whether you have ADHD. They may be able refer you to mental health professionals who have had experience working with adults with ADHD.
You can also speak to family members and friends who are familiar with you. They can assist you in describing the symptoms and how they impact your life. They can explain the ways in which you may forget things or lose them often and make mistakes at school or at work or have difficulty staying focused on your work and have difficulties maintaining relationships. They can also help you figure out which strategies or treatments could be beneficial for you.
It can be a challenge for people with ADHD to get a diagnosis. They might feel relieved to finally have an explanation for their symptoms. They might also feel angry or overwhelmed by the necessity to change their behavior or face their issues. They may also be embarrassed about having a mental disorder. If you are considering getting a diagnosis of ADHD Be sure to remember that it's not something to be ashamed about.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as children, but you can be diagnosed in your adulthood if you exhibit various symptoms that started before age 12. You also must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that occur regularly and interfere with your life.
A medical professional will examine you and your family to make an accurate diagnosis. They'll likely use standardized ADHD rating scales and symptoms checklists. They may also ask to see medical or school records. They might also use psychological tests to measure working memory and executive functioning (abilities such as planning and decision-making), visual and spatial capabilities, and reasoning abilities.
If you decide to seek an expert in mental health to conduct an ADHD evaluation, check their website or call to find out if they are specialized in treating adults with ADHD. You can also search on the internet or ask family and friends for recommendations of ADHD specialists in your area. It is essential to select someone who has the right training and experience in dealing with ADHD for adults, since this will ensure the best results from treatment.