Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
It's typical for people to wait until adulthood before being diagnosed with ADHD. This can lead to complicated emotions. For Matlen it was a feeling of relief to know that she finally discovered a reason behind her symptoms.
Speak to your family doctor is the first step to finding out if you have an assessment. They may refer you an expert in mental health that will evaluate your ADHD symptoms.
1. Talk to Your Family Doctor
You should schedule an appointment as soon as you can with your family doctor If you think you might be suffering from ADHD or were advised by someone else that you may. Your doctor can determine whether ADHD medication is right for you, or if a different specialist is needed. Your doctor can also help find resources to alleviate your symptoms.
A person must exhibit several symptoms that persist into adulthood, and that impact their lives in more than one way. People often get diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can persist into adulthood and many adults are not diagnosed until later in life.
It is essential that you are as specific as you can in describing your symptoms. You'll need to inform your doctor how long the symptoms have been present for, when they began and what kinds of activities or situations they are exhibited in. You might also have to mention if the symptoms interfere with relationships or work.
It is also beneficial to provide your doctor with examples of the behavior that you or your child are struggling with. This will help them realize that the issue is real and not caused by something else, such as anxiety or depression.
Your doctor will likely suggest you take a medication to treat ADHD. You should discuss all of the possibilities with your doctor, including natural remedies and other types of drugs that have been shown to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will likely also give you directions on how to take the medication and how frequently you should take it.
2. Talk to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a medical degree and the four-year psychiatry residency. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating mental disorders such as ADHD. They are licensed to prescribe medication in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and the US territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. They often consult with primary care doctors or family practitioners in patients who might require psychotherapy.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from the assistance of a psychiatrist. They can help adults with ADHD to understand the root of their symptoms and how to manage them. This may include psychotherapy or taking medications like Adderall or Ritalin which increase brain levels of dopamine. They can also discuss strategies to manage work, relationships and other aspects of life with ADHD.
ADHD can lead to problems at home and at work. They may miss appointments or deadlines, and may have difficulty keeping track of important information. People with ADHD also have trouble focusing for long periods of time, which makes it hard to start or complete projects. Other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can affect attention and make it harder to concentrate.
A psychiatrist who is trained in the treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders could be able to help you. They are trained to recognize various conditions that are co-occurring with ADHD. For example, the emotional sensitivity and impulsivity components of ADHD can appear like anxiety and mood disorders. If your physician does not have a thorough understanding of the ways these disorders interact, you could be given a misdiagnosis that leads to ineffective or even counterproductive treatments.
3. Talk to the Child Psychiatrist
There's a good chance your family doctor will recommend you to a specialist, such as a child psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in working with children. It's essential to find a doctor that you and your child can trust. It may take some research as well as a bit of trial and error to locate the best specialist for your family.
It is crucial to ask your potential specialists how many ADHD cases they've dealt with, and what their treatment plans were. You could ask other parents of children with adhd for suggestions. You can also contact your health insurance company for an inventory.
Your doctor is likely to perform some diagnostic tests, such as a hearing and vision check to make sure there's no other issue that is causing the symptoms you or your child are experiencing. They'll then talk with you and your child to obtain the full picture of their behavior. Your doctor will likely use the American Psychiatric Association's fifth edition the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to help determine whether you have or if your child is suffering from 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 those symptoms in more than one setting, such as school, home and work--and cause significant impairment.
Be aware that some people who have ADHD don't experience symptoms of inattention or impulsivity at any time. Some may experience only mild or moderate symptoms. It is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible and begin treatment immediately. This will allow you to manage your symptoms or those of your child. A prompt diagnosis can prevent years of turmoil in the family and underachievement.
4. Talk to a Pediatrician
The doctor should take a detailed account of your child's health issues, including when they started and what effect they have on their home and school. They should also talk to your child and others who are familiar with them including their teachers, to obtain details about how the symptoms have affected them. They may ask you and your child to complete rating scales, or other evaluation tools. They should also look over any medical records and educational reports, and do an assessment to rule out learning disabilities or other conditions that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
You should also discuss with them treatment options. This could include a treatment regimen, diet and exercise program as well as psychological therapy educational strategies, and education or training programs for parents. Consult your pediatrician about behavioral therapy or other non-medical methods for managing ADHD. If they are not, then it is important to seek out a medical specialist who is well-versed in these options.
For children diagnosed with ADHD is usually made by a pediatrician or family physician with a special interest in the disorder. A child must exhibit at least six of nine symptoms, like hyperactivity or inattention, in more than one situation in a way that they hinder normal functioning. For adults and older teens, clinicians often alter the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This requirement is usually less stringent, because it's not uncommon for symptoms to persist into adulthood. They typically go over the child's medical and mental history, interview the child and their caregivers, gather information about education, social environment and upbringing, as well as make an assessment using ratings scales or other evaluation tools.
5. Talk with a Child Psychologist
With the national debate about mental health focusing on increasing issues there is a growing interest in the treatment of psychological disorders. Psychologists are trained to evaluate and treating various conditions, including ADHD. When searching for a child psychologist it is essential to find one who is familiar with the condition and has had experience treating it. You can request a referral from your doctor recommendation or search online in 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. They should also display these symptoms consistently for at minimum six months in two or more environments. This may include school, at home, and social situations. Symptoms of ADHD are different than normal behavior, and can cause serious difficulties at school, at workplace, in relationships and in daily life. They can lead to academic problems and low self-confidence, as well as frustration toward others. They can also cause conflict between parents and children or spouses and create stress at home.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. If ADHD Diagnosis has been treated by a therapist, but continues to show signs of ADHD or other issues, it could be worth considering having them consult a psychiatrist. The aim is to address the emotional and behavioral issues that are causing difficulties at school, at home and in their relationships with family and friends. Effective treatment includes a combination of therapy and parent education, as well as training, assistance at school and medication. Many people think that medication is associated with ADHD. However it can be used to treat a broad range of conditions. It's not a panacea for ADHD and shouldn't be the primary treatment option.