Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Many people don't get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and this can bring up complicated emotions. For Matlen it was a relief that she discovered a reason behind her symptoms.
The first step to get a diagnosis is to talk with your family doctor. They might refer you to an expert in mental health who can assess your ADHD symptoms.
1. Speak to your family physician
You should make an appointment as soon as you can with your family doctor if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD or were told by someone else that you could. Your doctor can assist you decide whether ADHD medications are appropriate for you or if you'll require the assistance of a different specialist. Your doctor can also help find resources that can help alleviate your symptoms.
In order for a diagnosis to be established, a person must suffer from multiple symptoms that persist throughout adulthood and affect their life in more than one area. ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. However, the condition can last into adulthood. A lot of adults are diagnosed later in life.
It is important that you are as specific as possible when you describe your symptoms. You must inform your doctor when the symptoms started, how long they have been present and what activities or environments they manifest in. It is possible to discuss whether the symptoms impact your relationships or your work.
You can also offer your doctor examples of behaviors that you or your child struggle with. This can help your doctor understand that the problem is not anxiety or depression, but rather a real problem.
Your doctor will probably recommend that you take a medication to treat your ADHD. It is important to discuss with your doctor every option that are available, including natural remedies or other kinds of medications that have been proven effective at treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will also likely provide you with instructions on how to take your medication and the frequency you'll need to take it.
2. Talk to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed an medical degree and the four-year psychiatry residency. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, which includes ADHD. They are licensed in Idaho, Illinois Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico and the US territories Guam and Puerto Rico to prescribe medications. They often consult with primary care physicians or family physicians to help patients who require psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists can be very helpful for adults diagnosed with ADHD. They can assist in understanding the root of their ADHD symptoms and the best way to manage them, for example with psychotherapy and by taking a variety of drugs that include stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin which boost the levels in the brain of the neurotransmitter dopamine. They can also discuss ways to manage work, relationships, and other aspects of living with ADHD.
People who have ADHD tend to have problems with time management, which can create problems at home and in the workplace. They may be late for deadlines or appointments, and may have trouble keeping track of important details. People with ADHD have difficulty focusing for long periods of time, which can make it difficult to start or complete tasks. Other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, may hinder concentration and affect the ability to pay attention.
A psychiatrist who is trained in the treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders may be able to assist you. They are trained to recognize many conditions that are co-occurring with ADHD. For example the emotional sensitivity and impulsivity elements of ADHD can look a lot like mood disorders and anxiety. If your clinician isn't well-versed of how these disorders interact, you could be given an incorrect diagnosis that can lead to ineffective or even counterproductive treatments.
3. Talk to a Child Psychotherapist
It's likely that your family physician will refer you to specialists. It could be a child psychologist or a child psychiatrist with an area of expertise that is specifically geared towards working with kids. It's essential to find a specialist that you and your child can trust. Finding the right specialist for your family could require some time, research, and trial and error.
It's important to ask your potential specialists how many ADHD cases they've handled, and what their treatment strategies were. Ask other parents with children with adhd for suggestions. You can also ask your health insurance provider for a list.
Your doctor will probably conduct some diagnostic tests like the examination of your vision and hearing to ensure that there's no other issue that is causing the symptoms that you or your child are experiencing. The doctor will then discuss with you and your child to gain a general understanding of their behavior. Your doctor will use the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-V), to determine if you or your child have ADHD. According to the DSM-V, a person has to show at least six of nine inattention and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms before age 12 to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must also show the symptoms in more than one setting--school, home and work--and cause significant impairment.
Certain people with ADHD do not exhibit any signs of inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity. And for others those who have ADHD, the symptoms are mild or moderate. Therefore, obtaining a diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as possible is important to aid in managing your or your child's symptoms. A prompt diagnosis can prevent years of family turmoil and underachieving.
4. Talk to your Pediatrician
The doctor should take a detailed review of your child's health issues, including when they began and what impact they have on family and school life. They should also talk to you and other people who know your child, such their teachers, in order to get information about the symptoms. They can request your child and you to complete rating scales, or other tools for evaluating. They should also review any medical records and education reports, and conduct an assessment to determine if there is a learning disability or other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD.
They should also discuss treatment options with you. This could include a treatment regimen, a diet and exercise program, psychological therapy educational strategies, and educational programs for parents. Ask your pediatrician if they're familiar with behavioral therapy as well as other non-medical approaches to managing ADHD. If not then it is crucial to locate a health professional who is familiar with these alternatives.
For children who are diagnosed with ADHD is usually made by a pediatrician or family physician with a special interest in the disorder. To be eligible to be identified as having ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six of the nine symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and an impulsive behavior in more than one environment to the degree that they significantly interfere with normal functioning. Clinicians frequently alter the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in older teens and adults. This is typically less strict, as it's not uncommon for symptoms to persist into adulthood. They will typically review the child's medical and psychiatric history, interview the child and their caregivers, collect information on education, social environment and the child's upbringing, and conduct an assessment using ratings scales or other evaluation tools.
5. Speak with a Child Psychotherapist
With the national debate about mental health being centered on a growing number of issues there is a growing interest in treatment for psychological issues. Psychologists are trained in assessing and treating a variety conditions such as ADHD. When searching for a child psychologist, it is important to find a psychologist who is familiar with the condition and has had experience treating it. You could ask your family physician for a recommendation, or search online or through directories of psychologists. You should feel at ease with your psychologist, and they should be able to understand your concerns.
For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These symptoms must be evident for at minimum six consecutive months in a variety of environments. This could include at school, at home, and social situations. ADHD symptoms are different from normal behavior and can cause issues at work, school, in relationships, and in daily life. They can cause academic difficulties, low self-esteem and a lack of respect for other people. They can also cause tension between parents and their spouses or children and create stress at home.
diagnose adhd may prescribe medication. If your child has been therapy by a therapist and continues to show signs of ADHD, it may be worth considering having them consult a psychiatrist. The goal is to address emotional and behavioral issues that cause issues at home, at school, and in relationships with peers and family members. Effective treatment includes the use of therapy as well as parent education and training, assistance at school and medication. While a lot of people associate medication with ADHD but it can be used to treat various conditions. It isn't a panacea for ADHD and should never be the only treatment option.