How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
A psychiatric interview with a specialist is the most reliable method to diagnose ADHD. Make sure you check your insurance and think about going out of network for an evaluation in the event that you are unable to find a specialist who is covered by your plan.
During the assessment the experts will ask questions about your school and childhood experiences. They might also interview your spouse or close family members. They could use standardized tests and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate you or your child.
Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or forgets to pay a bill now and then, but people with ADHD have these issues more often and to a greater degree. If you're worried about your memory or inattention, make an appointment with your doctor. Your assessment could include an interview with you and a loved one, or your health care provider might ask to speak with someone who knows you well for example, a spouse or sibling for adults, or a teacher or coach for children. This may provide information that isn't obvious from simple questionnaires.
In addition to examining your medical history, your health care provider will look at your symptoms and how they affect your life now. He or she might also inquire about your family background and lifestyle. This is important, as ADHD can have a major impact on relationships and careers. Your healthcare provider will want know about your experience with anxiety or depression since these conditions can also impact your ability to focus and concentrate.
Your doctor could use a checklist or rating scales to assess your ADHD symptoms. In some instances your doctor may conduct psychological tests to assess reasoning abilities, executive functioning, spatial and visual skills as well as working memory. These tests will help your doctor rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.
If your tests suggest you might have ADHD The evaluator will categorize the symptoms and results into moderate, mild or severe. Mild symptoms are a problem at school or at work on occasion but they don't interfere with your daily life. Moderate symptoms interfere with your daily functions, but not to the point of severely affecting your social or work interactions. The most severe symptoms limit your ability to function at work, home or in relationships.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have at least six recurring symptoms and have had them for at least six months. The symptoms must have begun in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12) and they must cause difficulties in multiple settings, such as school, home or on the job.
Diagnosis
The first step for most people with ADHD is to see their primary health care provider. They can refer them to a specialist with expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD in adults. This could include a neurologist or psychologist. In certain cases an evaluator could be a psychiatrist who has additional training in treating mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and depression.
The evaluation process will begin by conducting a medical interview. The interview will consist of an examination of the individual's medical, psychiatric and private medical history. It is crucial that people speak the truth during this process so they can get a complete picture of their symptoms and how they affect their life. The evaluator may also use a behavioral scale to rate the most common behaviors associated with ADHD. These ratings will help the evaluator determine the severity of a person's ADHD is.
The symptoms of ADHD typically manifest during the early years of life, but to get a diagnosis the disorder must cause significant problems in more than one area of a person's life. These areas include work, school, and home. ADHD can be detected by the example of forgetting important things or failing to meet deadlines at work or home. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present in at least two of these areas for a minimum of six months.
If a person has ADHD It's not uncommon for their symptoms to be confused with other disorders such as depression or anxiety. This could lead to a misdiagnosis or a misinterpretation. For this reason, it's important for people with ADHD to consult with an expert who is able to accurately evaluate their condition.
Although it's easy to find experts who can treat children with ADHD but finding a specialist to assess adults is more difficult. You can ask your doctor for a recommendation, or ask an organization in your area for suggestions. You can also inquire with your insurance company to see whether they have professionals who specialize in adult ADHD evaluations that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
If you're struggling to keep up with work or school because of issues with your attention, obtaining an assessment of ADHD might be the answer. But how do you get one? The first step is to find a mental health professional skilled in diagnosing and treating it evaluate you. It's a good idea solicit recommendations from family or friends or browse the internet for professionals in your area. Make sure the person has worked with adults with ADHD.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) sets the guidelines that doctors use to make diagnoses. The evaluation begins by conducting an interview to learn about your social, academic and emotional background. Your provider might also talk to an immediate family member or friend who knows you well and may also require old report cards or other school documents.
It's important to be completely open about the issues you're experiencing right now and how they have affected your life in the past. Your provider needs to be able to determine if your problems are caused by ADHD, or if they're related to something else, such as depression or anxiety.
how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult will also consider whether you experienced similar problems as an infant. To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, your symptoms must have started in childhood-technically, before you were 12. Your evaluator might also ask to see your medical records or the list of medications you're currently taking. They will also want to be aware of whether ADHD is a family trait. It is often passed down from parent to child.
Your evaluator will use all the information they have to decide whether you have inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD or combined ADHD. You'll probably be given an examination on your body and some doctors will conduct psychological tests. These tests aren't always required to determine ADHD.
Support
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, the best way to begin is to speak with your health medical professional. They might be able to refer you to mental healthcare specialists who have worked with adults suffering from ADHD.
It's also beneficial to speak with family and friends who know you well. They can assist you in describing the symptoms and how they affect your life. They can help you describe for instance, how you might forget things or lose them frequently and make mistakes at the workplace or at school and have difficulty staying focused on your work and struggle to maintain relationships. They can also provide support in determining what strategies or treatments might be beneficial for you.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is a difficult time emotionally for those who suffer from the disorder. They may feel elated to finally have a reason for their symptoms. They may also feel angry and overwhelmed by the necessity to change their routines or face their difficulties. They might even feel ashamed of being diagnosed with a mental illness. If you're thinking of getting an ADHD diagnosis be aware that it's not something to be embarrassed about.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as children, but you can be diagnosed in your adulthood if you exhibit several symptoms that started before age 12. You also must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that occur regularly and interfere with your life.
To establish a precise diagnosis, a specialist will require an interview with you and your family members. They'll likely use the standard ADHD rating scales and symptom checklists. They may also ask to see medical and school records. They may also use psychological tests to evaluate your working memory, executive function (abilities like making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability, and reasoning abilities.
If you decide to consult a mental health professional to conduct an ADHD evaluation, check their website or phone number to inquire if they are specialized in treating adults suffering from ADHD. You can also search online or ask family and friends for recommendations of ADHD specialists near you. Choose a specialist who has years of experience and expertise in treating ADHD in adults. This will ensure that you get the best results.