Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
The first step in addressing symptoms that affect your education, work or relationships is to obtain a diagnosis of ADHD. Your primary care doctor can refer you to an ADHD professional who is certified to conduct the evaluation.
Interview people who are familiar with you, for example, your colleagues, friends as well as former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator may also require details regarding your physical symptoms in different settings outside of the office, such as at home or at work.
Signs and symptoms
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD in a child or an adult who has been suffering from symptoms for a long period of. A person has to show six or more symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention which seriously affect their daily functioning. This could include making impulsive mistakes at school or work, or not remembering important details. These symptoms must have manifested in the first year of childhood before 12 years of age and they cannot be caused by other disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
Your health care provider will conduct an examination of your body and review your or your child's medical, family and mental health history. They will also look at the way your child functions in different settings, like home and school. They might want to speak to other people, such as relatives, friends, teachers and coaches, regarding your or your child's behavior.
A thorough assessment will determine whether ADHD is the primary reason behind the problem and the most effective treatment to take. If impulsivity is the main reason behind ADHD symptoms, then medication that alters the dopamine receptors could be needed. They may also need to treat health issues that are underlying like anxiety or depression.
During the interview, you or your child's health care provider will ask questions about their symptoms or yours that have affected your life and the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms. They will also talk about the child's previous health and behavior history. They will ask you if you or your children have a a family history with ADHD. It is highly heritable.
If you or your child is diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can provide assistance and guidance as you adjust to the challenges of living with ADHD. Therapy can be a chance to explore your your child's emotions, including frustration, shame and regrets, about how the condition has affected their lives. Therapy can also help you develop strategies to manage the disorder that affects your child's or in your everyday life.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must meet a specific set of criteria. These symptoms are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD can cause people to be unable to concentrate at school or work. They also may have trouble maintaining relationships or friendships due to their inattention and impulsive behavior.
A professional like a psychiatrist or a doctor provider, will talk to you to determine if you have ADHD. The patient may also be asked to bring report cards from childhood or any other documentation that can help them remember problems from earlier years. The doctor will also review the person's current and past family medical, social, and mental health history.
It is important to know that many people don't have ADHD symptoms or don't show enough signs of the condition to be diagnosed. Most healthy children exhibit inattentive and hyperactive behavior from time to time. Children in their early years are more prone to have a short attention span and often aren't able to stick with one activity for long. Even older children or teenagers might find it difficult to focus on something boring or uninteresting for a long time.
It is recommended to consult your pediatrician if you observe these signs in your child. They may also recommend a doctor who is specialized in disorders of development and behavior. You can ask your friends and family members for recommendations, or search the internet for professionals that specialize in ADHD evaluations. It's crucial to know that your child may suffer from a sleep disorder or a physical illness that can cause similar symptoms.
During the interview with your health professional, it's important to tell the truth about your symptoms. The health care professional may need to speak with an ex-teacher or someone who was close to you as an infant. He or she may also examine the person's work and social life to determine how the symptoms are affecting them. The professional will evaluate the individual and determine if he or has ADHD. If the person has ADHD the expert will suggest a treatment plan.
Treatment
It is best to consult your doctor if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. They will refer to an expert in mental health who can evaluate you and make a diagnosis. The professional in charge of your mental health may inquire about your symptoms and review your medical and family history. They'll also use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They might also request your permission to contact your family or friends as well as coworkers in order to get a better understanding of how you perform in various situations and settings. They may also administer tests for neuropsychological or psychological testing to measure your working memory, executive functions (ability to plan, make decisions, and have visual and spatial skills) and reasoning ability, and visual and spatial abilities.
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. He or she will also determine the time when symptoms first started to manifest and if they have been present since the age of.
For getting a adhd diagnosis and older adults, the American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These guidelines suggest that you need to have at minimum five of the following symptoms to meet the diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medication to help manage your symptoms. There are nonstimulant and stimulant medications, and it may take several attempts to determine the one that is most effective for you. Tell your doctor if any other medications are taking place, particularly those for heart issues or depression. These medications can interact with certain ADHD medication. Herbal supplements and other complementary health approaches can also be utilized to treat ADHD. However, they haven't been proven scientifically to improve symptoms of ADHD, so they do not qualify as evidence-based treatments.
Counseling
Although there isn't a specific test to determine ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation typically involves standardized tests and interviews. Mental health professionals like social workers and psychologists, or advanced practice nurses, are the best equipped to identify ADHD because they understand how it affects different areas of the person's life. They can also effectively identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. During an assessment it is essential that the person discuss their symptoms without embarrassment. They should be prepared to respond to any questions the healthcare professional might have regarding their childhood and schooling experiences. Some therapists request permission to interview spouses, family members, or friends to gain additional information about the person's health issues and their impact on others.
ADHD can cause adults to forget appointments, miss deadlines and make impulsive choices that frustrate even the most forgiving of co-workers, partners and friends. Therapy that focuses on these issues can help them learn how to monitor their own behavior and create strategies to curb their impulses and improve their organizational skills. They can also benefit from taking classes that teach effective conflict resolution, problem-solving and techniques for improving relationships.
Counseling services for those suffering from ADHD are available in community centers as well as private practices and special clinics. The majority are led by a licensed therapist, and some offer group therapy. Some offer support groups to families of children with ADHD. They also provide information on the disorder, treatment options and other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is most efficient when it's coupled with medication and behavior therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is taught by a therapist, can help someone suffering from ADHD recognize and alter the negative thinking patterns that contribute to their symptoms. Counseling can help a person who is constantly concerned about not finishing a task on time learn to reward themselves for completing the task. They can also create self-management strategies to manage routine activities such as setting an alarm to wake them up and placing their bags and clothes in the same place each morning.