Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
The first step in addressing symptoms that interferes with your education, work and relationships is to receive an assessment for ADHD. Your primary care physician can refer you to a mental health professional qualified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
It's important to interview people who know you well, including friends, co-workers and past teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator may also require details regarding your symptoms in settings outside of the office, like home or work.
Symptoms
If a person, whether a child or an adult, has been suffering from ADHD symptoms for several years, it may be difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must have at least six established signs of hyperactivity or inattention, and impulsivity that seriously hinder everyday functioning, like making a mistake at work or at school, or forgetting important things. These symptoms must have started in childhood before the age of 12 and are not caused by other disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and review your your child's medical, family and mental health history. They will also examine how your your child functions in different settings, such as home and school. They may require you to talk to others about your child's behavior, for example, friends, relatives, teachers, and coaches.
A thorough examination can reveal if ADHD is the cause of the person's issues and determine the type of medication that is most effective. For instance, if someone's ADHD symptoms are primarily caused by impulsivity, they might need medications that affect the dopamine system. They may also need to address underlying health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
During the interview the child's or your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life, and the length of time they've been present. They will also ask about your or your child's medical history as well as behavioral history. They will want to know if you or your child has an ancestral history of ADHD because it is a highly heritable condition.
If you or your child are diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can provide support and guidance in adjusting to living with the condition. Therapy can assist you or your child discover their emotions, including frustration, shame, and regrets about how the disorder affected them or you. Therapy can also help you develop ways to manage the disorder better in your or the child's everyday life.
Diagnosis
To allow ADHD to be recognized, symptoms must meet specific requirements. These symptoms are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). People suffering from ADHD often have trouble concentrating at work or school. They also might have trouble maintaining relationships or friendships because of their inattentive and impulsive behavior.
Screening for ADHD involves an interview with a professional, either a physician or mental health professional. You may be asked to bring old report cards or other documentation from your childhood to aid in identifying past problems. The doctor will also review the person's current and past family medical, social and mental health history.
It is important to know that a lot of people don't have ADHD symptoms or do not show enough to be diagnosed. Most healthy children exhibit inattentive and hyperactive behaviors occasionally. Children in their early years are more prone to have short attention spans and are often unable to remain focused on a single activity for long. Even older children and teenagers may not be able stay focused for long on something that's boring or doesn't appeal to them very much.
If you have a child who exhibits these kinds of behaviors, it's essential to talk to your pediatrician or a physician who specializes in treating behavioral and developmental disorders. You can ask your friends and family for recommendations or search the internet for specialists who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It is also important to be aware that your child could have a sleep disorder or another physical condition which could trigger similar symptoms.
In the meeting with your health professional, it's important to tell the truth about the symptoms you're experiencing. The health professional will be looking to talk to an old teacher or someone who was close to you when you were in your early years. They may also examine the person's activities and social life in order to determine how the symptoms affect them. The doctor will evaluate the person and determine if he/she has ADHD. If the individual does have ADHD The specialist will recommend a treatment plan.
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If you suspect you might have ADHD, your first step is to talk with your health medical professional. They will refer you to an expert in mental health who will conduct an assessment and determine an diagnosis. The professional in charge of your mental health may ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing and will review your medical and family history. They will also use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also ask your permission to talk to your family, friends, and coworkers to get a better idea of how you function in different situations and environments. They may also give you tests that are neuropsychological or psychological to measure working memory and executive function (ability to plan and make decisions) spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning.
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 determine the time at which symptoms started and if they were present since the age of.
For adults, the American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These criteria indicate you must exhibit at least five signs of ADHD to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will prescribe medication to manage your symptoms. There are nonstimulant and stimulant medications, and it may take several attempts to determine the right one for you. Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used, particularly those for heart or depression. These drugs can interact with certain ADHD medications. Herbal supplements and other complementary health treatments can also be used to treat ADHD. These treatments are not based on evidence because they haven't been confirmed 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, like psychologists, social workers and advanced practice nurses, are the most qualified to diagnose because they know how the condition affects different areas of one's life. They can also efficiently determine other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. In the course of an examination, it is crucial that the person discuss their symptoms without embarrassment. They must be prepared to answer any questions the healthcare professional may have, including questions about their childhood and schooling experiences. Therapists may ask permission to interview friends, family members and spouses in order to gain insight into a person's symptoms.
Many adults with ADHD are unable to remember appointments, forget deadlines and make impulsive decisions which can be a challenge for even their most forgiving co-workers as well as their friends and family. Therapy that focuses on these issues will aid them in developing strategies to control their impulsivity, increase their organizational skills and learn to control and monitor their own behavior. They can also benefit from classes that teach them effective techniques for resolving conflicts and problem-solving as well as couples' therapy or other programs that help improve relationships.
Counseling services for people with ADHD are available in community centers, private practices and specialty clinics. Some offer group therapy, while others are led by licensed therapists. Some provide support groups for families of children with ADHD. They also provide information on the disorder, its treatment options, and other resources.
Counseling for ADHD is most effective when it's combined with medication and behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is taught by a therapist, can help someone suffering from ADHD to identify and modify the negative thinking patterns that contribute to their symptoms. For instance when they are constantly worried about not being able to finish their work in time, therapy can help them learn to take small steps towards their goals and reward themselves when they accomplish those tasks. They can also design self-management techniques for routine activities such as setting alarms to wake up, putting schoolbags and clothes in the same spot every morning, and creating an everyday schedule.