How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults are unaware they suffer from ADHD until later in life. The first step in getting a diagnosis involves a clinical interview. It usually involves the patient, his family friends, as well as other caregivers.
Ask your primary care physician or mental health professional to suggest a specialist. Find out about their academic and professional degrees.
1. Visit cognitive-behavioral therapy
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD seeking a professional assessment is the first step in gaining control of your condition. If you are a daydreamer or often lose your keys or you don't complete tasks at home, then it is important to consult an expert in mental health that is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychiatrist or clinical social worker psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family physician can also perform an assessment, but many do not have a good understanding of ADHD in adults. A specialist with experience treating adult ADHD could be the crucial factor to the success of your treatment.
In the evaluation process your doctor will examine your psychiatric and personal history. Your healthcare doctor will ask you standardized questions to determine your behavior and determine if you have symptoms of ADHD. They will also consider your childhood behaviors in the event that they are relevant to the diagnosis. They may request interviews with significant others or friends and colleagues, as well.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has been updated to reflect the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in adults. Adults need now only five signs to meet the criteria, while adolescents and children need six symptoms to be diagnosed. Your doctor may recommend cognitive, learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests depending on your specific situation.
It's important to remember that medication isn't your only option to treat adult ADHD. A combination of psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms as well. A therapist can help you learn stress management techniques, assist with time management and organization techniques, and offer emotional support as you learn how to manage your ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
While we usually think of ADHD as a condition that affects children, it can continue into adulthood. A diagnosis is important for adults. You'll have undergo an examination in order to get a diagnosis. The process may differ however, you should anticipate an extended interview with a medical professional as well as a physical examination and a series questionnaires or rating scales.
Adults will be assessed on how their symptoms affect different areas of their lives, including work and family. They will also look at any medical conditions that could be causing symptoms similar to ADHD. This could include thyroid issues, mood disorders or seizures.
As part of the evaluation, you might be asked to give an account of your symptoms as far back as possible. The examiner may request an account of your symptoms as long back as possible, since ADHD is a disorder that affects children. This might require confirmation from parents or teachers.
It is important to get the right diagnosis because untreated ADHD can cause serious problems. It can impact your career, relationships, and self-esteem. In addition, it can cause financial difficulties and trouble keeping track of bills or making payments.
Ask your physician for a recommendation or contact a mental health professional who is specialized in adult ADHD. Most professionals are willing to share information about their level of education and their experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're not willing or unwilling to share this information, that's an indication of a problem. You can also locate an ADHD professional by asking others with ADHD for recommendations or by looking online for professionals.
3. Request a Consultation
It is crucial to select the best mental health specialist to identify you as having adhd. You'll want to find someone who has experience in ADHD in adults, and will thoroughly evaluate you. If you're not acquainted with professionals who specialize in ADHD You can look through your insurance plan to determine whether there are any specialists in your network that have training in ADHD assessment and treatment.
The first step is to schedule a consult with the professional you have chosen. This will allow the psychologist or psychiatrist to meet with you to determine whether ADHD is the most appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also do an entire checkup, which includes vision and hearing tests to ensure that a different health issue isn't causing your problems.
Your symptoms must have been evident for at least for six months and affect your ability to perform in two different environments to be diagnosed as ADHD. This includes your home, school, work, and social situations. You might be asked to complete a behavior rating scale to help identify your specific symptoms.
The evaluator may also ask about the family history of ADHD, and utilize a checklist to score your symptoms in relation to the DSM-5 criteria. They may also ask you questions about your family life, school and will determine whether there is a pattern in your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
Additionally, your physician might also suggest brain scans and blood tests as part of the evaluation process. They will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression, sleep disorders anxiety, stress, and learning disabilities.
4. Complete a Psychiatric Evaluation
Finding an ADHD diagnosis is the first step to finding a treatment plan and reducing the symptoms that could be wreaking havoc on your life. If you're having trouble focusing at work, losing your keys, or are having difficulties maintaining relationships, a thorough diagnosis will help you improve these issues.
Your doctor will need to interview you and ask about your past experiences with ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know your family history, when and where you noticed the symptoms, and how they've affected your social and professional life. It is crucial to be open and honest.
The psychologist or psychiatrist who performs your psychiatric evaluation will also go over your medical and mental health history. They will also use an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Your evaluator might also want to perform other tests in addition to evaluating your ADHD symptoms. These could include cognitive tests to rule out mental or learning impairments that could be causing problems. They will also perform an examination of your body to rule out conditions such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Psychologists who perform psychological testing have specialized training that prepares for thorough assessments for a variety of disorders. They are trained to spot symptoms of a wide range of disorders, such as depression and anxiety as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health issues.
5. Complete a Medical Evaluation
You will be questioned by psychiatrists or mental health professional about your symptoms. It could last for up to an hour, depending on the practitioner. During this time, you will be asked to describe your symptoms and issues in detail. You may be required to complete similar forms by your caregivers or educators.
These questionnaires are composed of questions that are standardized to increase reliability and reduce the possibility that different interviewers could have different results. They will ask you about your symptoms in both the present moment and in childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you have.
Some evaluators might want to perform other tests too. For example, some will conduct cognitive tests to look for learning or intellectual disabilities which could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They may also check your symptoms for other illnesses like depression and anxiety. They can also conduct medical tests to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as seizures and thyroid disorders.
It is essential to answer these questions in completeness and honestly. Although it can be embarrassing to discuss your struggles, it will aid the evaluator in finding out the most details about your difficulties. They will analyze this information to determine if your ADHD symptoms are caused by other conditions or if you suffer from ADHD.
It is not unusual for a psychiatric assessor to inquire about other people's experiences with your symptoms. They may ask you to speak to your spouse or partner particularly if they're adults. They may also want to talk to your children's teachers, parents or daycare providers.