Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
The first step in addressing symptoms that affect your education, work or relationships is to get a diagnosis of ADHD. Your primary care physician can refer you to a mental health professional qualified to perform an ADHD evaluation.
Ask people who are familiar with you, for example, your friends, coworkers, and former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator will also need details about your symptoms in settings outside of the office, such as your home or workplace.
Symptoms
If a person, whether a child or an adult, has been suffering from ADHD symptoms for several years it could be difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must have at least six distinct signs of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity that significantly impair everyday functioning, like making mistakes in work or at school, or forgetting important items. These symptoms must have begun in the first year of childhood before the age of 12, and are not caused by any other disorders, like depression or anxiety.
Your doctor will conduct an examination of your body and review your your child's mental, family and medical health history. They will also examine how your child behaves in different situations such as at home or at 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 examination can help identify whether ADHD is the root cause of the person's issues and determine the kind of medication that's most effective. For instance, if a person's ADHD symptoms are primarily caused by the tendency to be impulsive, they may require medications that affect the dopamine system. They may also have to address other health issues, like depression or anxiety.
During the interview during the interview, either you or your child's doctor will ask about your symptoms and their impact on your life, and how long they have been present. They will also talk about your child's or your own health and behavioral history. They will want to know whether you or your child has a family history of ADHD because it is highly heritable.
A mental health professional can provide assistance and guidance when your child or you is diagnosed with ADHD. They will assist you adjust to the condition. Therapy can provide an opportunity to explore your or your child's feelings, including regret, anger, and shame about how the condition has affected your or their lives. It can also help you find ways to manage the disorder better in your or your child's daily life.
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To be classified as having ADHD, the symptoms must meet certain criteria. The symptoms are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). People with ADHD typically have difficulty concentrating at school or work. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships or friendships intact because of their inattentive and unpredictable behavior.
Screening for ADHD involves an interview with a specialist, such as an a psychiatrist or a doctor health professional. You might be asked to bring along old report cards or other documentation from your childhood to aid in identifying past problems. The specialist will also examine the person's current and past family medical, social, and psychiatric history.
It's important to recognize that many people don't exhibit symptoms of ADHD or don't exhibit enough symptoms to be able to be diagnosed with the condition. In fact, most healthy children have inattentive or hyperactive behavior from time time. Children in their early years are more prone to having short attention spans and often aren't able to stick with one activity for very long. Even teenagers and older children may not be able stay focused for long on something that's boring or doesn't appeal to them a lot.
If you have a child who exhibits these kinds of behaviors, it's essential to talk to your pediatrician or doctor who specializes in treating behavioral and developmental disorders. You can ask for recommendations from relatives and friends or look online for professionals who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It's also helpful to be aware that your child might be suffering from a sleep disorder or other 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 may want to speak with a teacher or other individuals who were familiar with you during your childhood, and he or will also examine the person's current work and social life to see how their symptoms affect them. The professional will then evaluate the person and decide if or not he suffers from ADHD. If the individual is diagnosed with ADHD the doctor will suggest a treatment plan.
Treatment
If you suspect you might have ADHD the first step should be to speak with your health medical professional. 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 may inquire about your symptoms and review your medical and family history. They will also use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They might also request your permission to contact your family, friends, and coworkers to get a better idea of how you perform in various situations and settings. They might also offer tests that are neuropsychological or psychological to determine your working memory executive function (ability to take decisions and plan), visual and spatial abilities, as well as reasoning 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. He or she will also examine when the symptoms first occurred and if they've 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 must have at minimum five of the following symptoms to qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medication to treat your symptoms. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medicines that may require several attempts to determine the one that works best for you. Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications particularly those for heart problems or depression. These drugs can interfere with certain ADHD medication. Many people also resort to complementary health approaches for help with ADHD including herbal supplements. These interventions are not evidence-based because they have not been proven to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms.
Counseling
While there is no single test to identify ADHD A comprehensive assessment usually includes standardized assessments and interviews. Mental health professionals such as psychologists and social workers, or advanced practice nurses, are the best equipped to diagnose ADHD since they understand how it affects different aspects of the individual's life. They can also efficiently identify other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. During an assessment it is essential that the person is able to talk about their symptoms without embarrassment. They should also be prepared answer questions from the healthcare professional, such as those regarding their childhood behavior and school experiences. Therapists may ask permission to speak with relatives, friends and spouses in order to gain understanding of the person's condition.
ADHD can cause adults to forget appointments, miss deadlines and make impulsive choices that can irritate even the most tolerant of co-workers, partners and friends. Therapy that focuses on these issues can help them develop strategies to reduce their impulsivity, enhance their organizational skills and learn to manage and regulate their behavior. They could also benefit from classes that teach them effective techniques for resolving conflicts and problem-solving, as well as from couples therapy or other programs for improving relationships.
Counseling services are available at community centers, private practices, and specialist clinics for those who suffer from ADHD. Some offer group therapy, and others are run by licensed therapists. Some provide support groups for parents of children suffering from ADHD. They also provide information about the disorder, its treatment options and other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is most efficient when it is coupled with medication and behavioral therapy. A therapist can use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach someone suffering from ADHD how to recognize negative thinking patterns that contribute to their symptoms and alter them. For example, if they constantly worry about not completing tasks in time, therapy can help them take small steps toward their goals and reward themselves when they complete the tasks. They can also create self-management techniques for routine activities such as setting alarms to wake up, placing clothes and schoolbags in the same place each morning, and establishing an everyday schedule.