How to Get a Diagnosis of ADHD
For many adults, being diagnosed of ADHD can be difficult. Some feel relief in understanding their struggles, while others are sad for having missed out on opportunities in life due to symptoms that went untreated for so long.
A mental health professional or health care provider can diagnose ADHD by analyzing a person's mood, their past and current medical and mental conditions, as well as their childhood behavior and experiences at school. The test includes ADHD symptoms scales and checklists.
Symptoms
People suffering from ADHD struggle to complete tasks that require concentration or concentration. Most of the time, these issues stem from other underlying problems such as depression or substance use disorders. Making sure you are diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in getting control of symptoms that wreak chaos in your professional and personal life.
The signs of ADHD typically appear in childhood and last throughout adulthood. To be eligible for an diagnosis of the disorder and be diagnosed with it, their symptoms must interfere with their lives in more than one area (home school, home and work) and cause significant impairment. For symptoms to meet this requirement to be considered severe, they must have been present for at least six months and cannot be explained by other mental disorders like mood disorders, anxiety disorder dissociative disorder, personality disorders.
In addition to looking into the patient's symptoms as well as their health history, the healthcare professional will review their medical history and mental health history. They will also talk to the person and in the event that it is possible, relatives to gain a perspective on childhood behaviors. The health professional may also look at the patient's current working and home environments, and discuss the patient's schooling with them.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. In general, in order to be diagnosed with the type of inattention of ADHD, an individual must have at least six symptoms of inattention that are severe enough to affect their daily functioning. To be diagnosed with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, an individual must have six of the following symptoms:
A thorough psychiatric evaluation is typically enough for a healthcare professional to determine if someone has ADHD. This will include an extensive interview with the individual as well as their family members and any caregivers or teachers, in addition to taking the time to complete questionnaires and scales. how to diagnose adhd may also review the person’s medical, psychiatric and family history and refer the individual for a physical examination to determine the cause of symptoms. He or she will also look at the individual's sleep patterns as well as their diet, work and the home environment to identify any stressors that may be contributing to their symptoms.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have ADHD is important to visit a health care specialist who is trained in the disorder. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and their effects on your life. They will likely be interested in how often you experience difficulty completing tasks or losing items or forget where you put your keys, and whether these problems cause stress at home, at work or in relationships. Your doctor will also go over the medical history and physical examination. This information will help your doctor rule out other conditions which may mimic the symptoms of ADHD, such a sleep disorders, depression anxiety, thyroid disorders or anxiety.
It's likely that your healthcare professional will ask family members as well as other caregivers regarding your behavior. They'll also inquire about your behavior in various settings, such as at school and work or with your religious or scout leaders. You may be asked to complete self-tests to identify your symptoms. They are available on the internet, but they shouldn't be used as a substitute for a face-to-face interview with your doctor.
For adults who are diagnosed with ADHD requires that you meet the threshold of symptoms lower than for kids -- five out of nine signs over the course of six months. Additionally, you must be able to show significant impact in your work, school and at home.
If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend neuropsychological or psychological testing to determine if you have the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD. These tests examine the way your brain functions, and can determine if there are coexisting mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can trigger complex emotions. Matlen's emotions ranged from sadness over missed opportunities to relief that she had a concrete reason for her problems. Ask your doctor or a local support group to refer you to a health care professional who performs ADHD evaluations in adults. You can also call your insurance provider to determine the providers that are listed.
Treatment
For many people suffering from ADHD medication is the first treatment option. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine work by increasing or balancing the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters which regulate behavior and attention. They can help people with ADHD focus better and remain organized and in control of their impulses. They can also help them make more rational decisions, improve communication and relationships and decrease impulsive behavior.
There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and certain antidepressants that work slower than stimulants but can still be effective for patients with ADHD. The kind of medication that is most effective for a person's needs may change over time, so it is essential to discuss all possible options with your healthcare professional conducting the assessment.
A health specialist with expertise in ADHD will conduct an assessment that consists of an interview with the individual in addition to the answering questionnaires and completing scales by the person and an examination of family history of mood disorders, as well as medical conditions, like sleep disorders and other physical illnesses. A referral to a medical examination may also be included to rule out medical reasons for the ADHD symptoms.
It is likely that the evaluation will take a while. This is especially true if you are an adult who has had to struggle to cope with symptoms over a long time. The evaluation should be comprehensive, so the individual should bring their old reports and copies of their performance evaluations at work or school. The healthcare professional can request permission to speak with family members and close friends to gain an understanding of the person's past behavior and experiences.
For adults, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event. It is common for people to feel various emotions, from relief finally getting a reason for their problems to sadness over the loss of opportunities and relationships that have been damaged due to untreated ADHD. However, Matlen says that once she was diagnosed she was able to begin making changes in her life and continue to move forward in her career and relationships.
Counseling
Counseling is a crucial step for many people with ADHD. Finding the right therapist is not always straightforward. There are many ways to locate a specialist in the area. Start by asking your regular doctor for a referral. They may have a list of specialists who are familiar with ADHD and can treat it effectively. You can also search for them online. There are many websites that offer directories of doctors, and provide details about their areas of interest and specialty. Another option is to seek a recommendation from your friends or family members. You can also call your local mental health center or ADHD support group for suggestions.
It is essential to be honest when visiting an experienced therapist who has experience treating ADHD. This includes discussing how ADHD symptoms impact your life and the effect they have on others. It is essential to discuss your medical history, both past and present. background. This allows the therapist to rule out conditions such as anxiety or depression that may exhibit similar symptoms.
In addition to observing the person's behavior, a therapy therapist may conduct interviews and use standardized rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. The therapist might also ask other caregivers for their input like religious leaders, teachers or scouts and scout leaders to get an accurate picture of behavior of the individual in different situations.
Adults with ADHD might be dissatisfied and embarrassed by their issues and are reluctant to discuss them. This can affect the accuracy and quality of the diagnosis. A therapist with experience in working with adults suffering from ADHD can generally help them overcome these barriers.
It is also important to know that a diagnosis of ADHD does not mean the therapy provider will automatically prescribe medication. While some individuals with ADHD do need to take medication however, there are a variety of other treatment options that are effective, including the use of behavioral therapy. These treatments can be used with medication or as standalone treatments.