Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step in managing symptoms that interfere with your schoolwork, academics and social relationships. Your primary care physician can refer you to a mental health professional who is qualified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Ask people who are familiar to you, such as your colleagues, friends, and former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator needs to know about your symptoms outside the office, at home or at work.
Symptoms
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD in a child or an adult who has experienced symptoms for a very long period of. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must exhibit six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention, and impulsivity that significantly impair daily functioning, such as making a mistake at school or work or forgetting important items. These symptoms must have started in the first year of childhood before the age of 12 and they are not caused by other disorders, like depression or anxiety.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review the medical family, mental, and health history of you or your child. They will also examine how your or your child functions in different environments, including home and school. They may ask to talk to others, such as relatives, friends, teachers and coaches, about you or your child's behavior.
A thorough examination can help identify whether ADHD is the cause of problems for a person and help determine the type of medication that may be most efficient. If impulsivity is the primary reason behind ADHD symptoms or symptoms, then medication that affects the dopamine system may be required. They may also need to address other health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
During the interview, you or the health care provider for your child will ask you questions about your or their symptoms and how they affect your life and how long you have been experiencing them. They will also inquire about your or your child's previous health history and behavior history. They will ask you if you or your children have an ancestral history of ADHD. It is very heritable.
A mental health professional can provide support and guidance if you or your child is diagnosed with ADHD. They can help you adjust to the disorder. Therapy can provide an opportunity to explore your your child's feelings, including frustration, shame and regrets, about how the condition has affected their lives. Therapy can also help you develop more effective ways to manage the disorder that affects your child's life or your own daily life.
Diagnosis
To allow ADHD to be recognized, symptoms must meet specific criteria. These symptoms are outlined in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD can cause people to be unable to focus at work or school. Inattention and impulsiveness can make it difficult for them to keep friendships or relationships.
A professional such as a doctor or mental health provider, will interview you to determine if you have ADHD. You might be asked to bring along old reports or other documents from your childhood that could help you remember past problems. The doctor will also take a look at the person's current and past family, medical, psychiatric and social history.
It's important that you know that a lot of 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 very long. Even teens or older children may find it difficult to stay focused on something boring or uninteresting for long.
If you have a child that exhibits these kinds of behaviors, it's essential to speak with your pediatrician or doctor who specializes in treating behavioral and developmental disorders. You can ask friends and family members for recommendations, or look online for professionals that specialize in ADHD evaluations. It is also important to be aware that your child might be suffering from a sleep disorder or other physical illness which could trigger similar symptoms.
In your interview with your health professional, it's important to tell the truth about the symptoms you're experiencing. The health professional will want to speak to an old teacher or someone close to you when you were an infant. adhd in adults diagnosis will also look into the person's social and professional life in order to determine the extent to which the symptoms are affecting them. The doctor will then assess the individual and determine whether or not he suffers from ADHD. If the person has ADHD the doctor will recommend a treatment program.
Treatment
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, your first step should be to speak with your health care provider. They will refer you to an expert in mental health who will evaluate you and make a diagnosis. The professional in charge of your mental health will ask you about any symptoms you've experienced and may review your medical history and family history. They will also use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They may also ask your consent to communicate with relatives or friends to gain a better understanding of your functioning in different contexts and environments. They can also conduct tests of neuropsychological or psychological nature to determine your working memory and executive functions (ability to plan and make decisions, and have spatial and visual skills) and reasoning ability as well as spatial and visual skills.
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. They will also look at the time that symptoms first began to manifest and if they have been present since childhood.
For adults and older adults, the American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These criteria indicate that you need to have at least five of these symptoms to qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medications for you to treat your symptoms. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medications, and it may take several attempts to find the right one for you. Be sure to tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines particularly those for depression or heart issues. These medications may interfere with ADHD medication. Herbal supplements and other complementary health approaches can also be utilized to treat ADHD. But, they haven't been proven scientifically to improve symptoms of ADHD Therefore, they are not considered evidence-based treatments.
Counseling
There is no single test to determine if you have ADHD. However an extensive assessment will include standardized tests and interviews. Mental health professionals, like psychologists, social workers and advanced practice nurses are the best qualified to diagnose because they know how the condition affects various aspects of a person's life. They can also effectively rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In the course of an examination it is vital that the patient is able to be able to discuss their symptoms without fear of embarrassment. They must also be prepared to answer questions from the healthcare professional, including those regarding their childhood behavior and school experiences. Some therapists will request permission to interview family members, friends and spouses to gain further information about the symptoms of a patient.
ADHD can cause adults to forget appointments, miss deadlines, and make impulsive choices that frustrate even the most tolerant of partners, coworkers, and friends. Therapy that focuses on these issues can help them develop strategies to reduce their impulsivity, improve their organization skills and learn to monitor and control their behavior. They may also benefit from classes that teach them effective techniques for resolving conflicts and problem-solving and also from couples' therapy or other programs for improving relationships.
Counseling services for those suffering from ADHD are offered at community centers as well as private practices and specialty clinics. The majority are led by a licensed therapist, and some also offer group therapy. Some offer support groups for parents of children with ADHD. They also provide information on the disorder, its treatment options, and other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is usually most efficient when it's coupled with behavior therapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is taught by a therapist, can help people with ADHD to identify and modify the negative thinking patterns contributing to their symptoms. For instance when they are constantly worried about not finishing tasks in time, therapy can help them learn to take small steps toward their goals and reward themselves for completing those tasks. They can also create self-management systems for routine activities like setting alarms to wake up, putting clothes and schoolbags in the same spot every morning, and making an everyday schedule.