Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
Finding a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that affect your work, school and relationships. Your primary physician may refer you to an ADHD professional who is qualified to conduct the evaluation.
It's important to interview those who know you well, such as friends, co-workers and past teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator must be aware about your health issues outside of at home, in the office or at work.
Signs and symptoms
If a person, whether a child or an adult, is struggling with ADHD symptoms for several years it could be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. A person must exhibit six or more symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity that seriously affect their daily functioning. This can include making careless mistakes at school or work, or forgetting important details. These symptoms must have started in the first year of childhood before the age of 12 and are not caused by other disorders, like anxiety or depression.
Your doctor will conduct an examination of your body and review your or your child's mental, family and medical health history. They will also look at the way child behaves in different environments, including home and school. They may ask you to speak to others about your or child's behavior, such as parents, friends, teachers, and coaches.
A thorough evaluation will help determine if ADHD is the root cause of the person's issues and determine the type of medication that's most effective. For instance, if a person's ADHD symptoms are mostly due to the tendency to be impulsive, they may require medications that affect the dopamine system. They may also have to treat underlying health issues such as depression or anxiety.
During the interview the child's or your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life, and the length of time they have been present. They will also inquire about your child's medical history as well as behavioral history. They will be looking to determine if you or your child has an ancestral history of ADHD as it is a highly heritable condition.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can provide assistance and guidance in adjusting to the challenges of living with ADHD. Therapy can assist you or your child to explore their feelings, such as anger, shame, and regrets about how the condition has affected them or you. It can also help you discover strategies to manage the disorder more effectively in your the child's everyday life.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must meet a specific set of criteria. These are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). ADHD can make it difficult for people to focus at work or school. Inattention and impulsiveness may make it difficult to maintain friendships or relationships.
Screening for ADHD involves an interview with a specialist, such as a physician or mental health professional. You might be asked to bring old reports or other documents from your childhood to help you remember past problems. The specialist will also examine the person's past and present family, medical, psychiatric and social background.
It is important to remember that many people don't have symptoms of ADHD or don't exhibit enough to be diagnosed with the condition. A majority of healthy children exhibit inattention and hyperactive behaviors occasionally. Young children are prone to have a short attention span and often aren't able to remain focused on a single activity for long. Even teenagers and older children might not be able to stay focused for long on something that is boring or doesn't appeal to them very much.
Consult your pediatrician if you observe these signs in your child. They might also suggest a doctor who is specialized in developmental and behavioral disorders. You can get recommendations from friends and relatives or search online for professionals who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It is important to recognize that your child could suffer from a sleep disorder or a physical illness that can cause similar symptoms.
During the interview with your health professional It is crucial to share the truth about your symptoms. The health care professional may want to speak to an ex-teacher or someone close to you as in your early years. He or she may also examine the person's activities and social life in order to determine how the symptoms are affecting them. The specialist will assess the individual and determine if he or she has ADHD. If the individual does have ADHD, the specialist will recommend a treatment plan.
Treatment
It is best to consult your doctor if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. They will refer you to a mental health professional who will conduct an evaluation and make a diagnosis. The professional in charge of your mental health will ask you about any symptoms you've experienced, and will also review your medical and family history. They will also use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also request your permission to contact family members, friends and coworkers to gain a better understanding of your performance in various environments and situations. They may also give you tests for neuropsychology or psychological testing to measure working memory, executive function (ability to plan and make decisions) spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning.
During an evaluation, your doctor will determine the extent to which you have ADHD symptoms and whether they are predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined. The doctor will also examine the time at which symptoms started and if they have been present from childhood.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides guidelines for adults. These guidelines suggest that you must have at least five of these symptoms to qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medication to you to treat your symptoms. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medications that may require several attempts to determine the right one for you. Inform your doctor about any other medications are being used especially for heart or depression. These drugs may interfere with certain ADHD medication. Many people also resort to complementary health approaches for aid with ADHD, such as herbal supplements. However, these have not been scientifically proven to reduce symptoms of ADHD therefore, they are not considered evidence-based treatments.
Counseling
There isn't a single test for diagnosing ADHD. However an extensive assessment will include standardized tests and interviews. Mental health professionals like psychologists and social workers, or advanced practice nurses are best qualified to diagnose ADHD since they know how it impacts different aspects of the individual's life. They can also rule out other illnesses that could cause similar symptoms. During an assessment it is essential that the patient is able to be able to discuss their symptoms without fear of embarrassment. They should also be prepared to answer questions from the health professional, including questions about their childhood behavior and school experiences. Therapists may ask permission to interview spouses, family members or other family members to gain information about the person's health issues and the impact they have on others.
Many people with ADHD do not remember appointments, fail to meet deadlines and make impulsive decisions which can be a challenge for even their most patient coworkers, friends and partners. adult diagnosis of adhd that addresses these issues can help them learn how to manage their own behavior and devise strategies to control their impulsivity and improve efficiency in their work. They can also benefit from taking classes that teach effective conflict resolution, problem-solving, and improving relationships.
Counseling services are offered in community centers, private practices and specialty clinics for people with ADHD. Some offer group therapy, and others are run by licensed therapists. Some also provide support groups for parents of children suffering from ADHD and education about the disorder and its treatment options, as well as other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is often most effective when it's combined with medication and behavioral therapy. A therapist can employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a person suffering from ADHD how to recognize negative habits of mind that contribute to their symptoms and how to change them. Counseling can help someone who is constantly worried about not completing a task on time learn to reward themselves when they complete the task. They can also design self-management systems to handle routine tasks, such as setting an alarm to wake up and placing their bags and clothes in the same place each morning.