Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
Finding a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step in managing symptoms that can affect your schoolwork, academics and social relationships. Your primary care doctor can refer you to an ADHD professional who is certified to conduct the assessment.
Ask people who are familiar to you, for example, your colleagues, friends and former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator needs to know about your issues outside of at home, in the office or at work.
Signs and symptoms
It isn't easy to identify ADHD in a child or an adult who has been suffering from symptoms for a very long period of. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, one must exhibit at least six established signs of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity that significantly hinder everyday functioning, such as making careless mistakes at school or work or forgetting important items. These symptoms must have developed in childhood, before age 12, and they can't be caused by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review your or your child's medical, family and mental health history. They will also look at how your child performs in various environments, including home and school. They may request that you speak to others about your child's behavior, such as friends, relatives as well as teachers and coaches.
A thorough evaluation will help determine if ADHD is the cause of a person's problems and determine the kind of medication that is most effective. If impulsivity is the primary reason for ADHD symptoms and symptoms, then medication that alters the dopamine receptors could be required. They may also need to address other health issues, like anxiety or depression.
During the interview the child's or your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and their impact on your life, and how long they've been present. They will also talk about the child's previous health and behavioral history. They will be looking to determine if you or your child has a family history of ADHD, as it is highly genetically inherited.
A mental health professional can offer support and guidance for you or your child if he/she is diagnosed with ADHD. They will help you adjust to the situation. Therapy can provide an opportunity to examine your or your child's emotions, including regret, anger, and shame, about how the condition has affected their lives. It can also help you find strategies to manage the disorder more effectively in your the child's everyday life.
Diagnosis
To be classified as having ADHD, the symptoms must match certain criteria. These are laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). ADHD can make it difficult for people to focus at school or work. Inattention and impulsiveness may make it difficult for them to maintain friendships or relationships.
Screening for ADHD involves an appointment with a professional, either an a psychiatrist or a doctor health provider. The patient may also be asked to bring reports cards from childhood or any other documents that could help him or her remember issues from earlier times. The specialist will also look at the person's current and past family medical, social and mental health history.
It's important to note that many people don't exhibit symptoms of ADHD or they don't have enough symptoms to be able to be diagnosed with the condition. In reality, many healthy children exhibit inattention or hyperactive behavior from time time. Young children are prone to have a short attention span and are often unable to stay focused on one thing for very long. Even diagnosed with adhd and teenagers might not be able to stay focused for a long time on something that's boring or doesn't interest them very much.
It is recommended to consult your pediatrician when you notice these behaviors in your child. They might also recommend a doctor who is specialized in disorders of development and behavior. You can ask friends and family members for recommendations or search the internet for specialists who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It's crucial to know that your child may have a sleeping disorder or another physical illness that can cause similar symptoms.
In your interview with your health professional it is important to be honest and tell the truth about the symptoms you're experiencing. The health professional will be looking to talk to an old teacher or someone close to you when you were a child. He or she will also look into the person's work and social life in order to determine how the symptoms are affecting them. The specialist will then assess the individual and determine whether or not he has ADHD. If the individual is diagnosed with ADHD the expert will recommend a treatment plan.
Treatment
It is best to consult your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They will refer you to a mental health professional who will conduct an evaluation and make an assessment. The professional in charge of your mental health will ask about symptoms you've experienced, and will also review your family and medical history. They'll also use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They will also request your permission to speak with your family members or friends to get a clearer picture of how you perform in different contexts and environments. They might also provide you with psychological or neuropsychological tests to assess working memory, executive function (ability to make decisions and plan), visual and spatial skills, and reasoning ability.
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 were present since childhood.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) offers guidelines for adults. These guidelines state that you should have at least five of these symptoms to meet the diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medications for you to manage your symptoms. There are nonstimulant and stimulant medications, and it may take several attempts to find the right one for you. Tell your doctor if any other medications are taking place especially for heart or depression. These drugs can interfere with certain ADHD medications. Some people also turn to alternative health methods to aid with ADHD, such as herbal supplements. But, they haven't been proven scientifically to improve symptoms of ADHD therefore, they do not qualify as evidence-based treatments.
Counseling
Although there isn't a specific test to identify ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation typically includes standardized assessments and interviews. Mental health professionals like psychologists and social workers, or advanced practice nurses are the best equipped to diagnose ADHD since they are aware of how it affects different areas of the person's life. They can also efficiently determine other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. When undergoing an evaluation, it is crucial for the patient to discuss their symptoms openly and without shame. They should be prepared to answer any questions that the healthcare professional may have in regards to their childhood and schooling experiences. Some therapists will request permission to speak with relatives, friends and spouses to gain additional information about the symptoms of a patient.
ADHD can cause adults to forget appointments, fail to meet deadlines, and make impulsive choices that annoy even the most forgiving of colleagues, partners and family members. Therapy that is focused on these issues can assist them in developing strategies to curb their impulsivity, enhance their organization skills and learn to manage and regulate their behavior. They could also benefit from classes that teach effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, as well as from couples therapy or other programs to improve relationships.
Counseling services are offered in community centers, private practices and special clinics for those who suffer from ADHD. The majority of them are run by a licensed therapist and some offer group therapy. Some also provide support groups for parents of children suffering from ADHD as well as education on the disorder and treatment options, and other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is most efficient when it is coupled with medication and behavior therapy. Therapists can employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach someone suffering from ADHD how to recognize negative habits of mind that contribute to their symptoms and how to change them. Counseling can help a person who is constantly concerned about not completing a task in time to learn how to reward themselves for finishing the task. They can also develop self-management strategies to manage routine tasks, such as setting an alarm to wake up and putting their clothes and schoolbags in the same spot every morning.