Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step in managing symptoms that can affect your schoolwork, academics and relationships. Your primary care physician may refer you to an expert in mental health to perform an ADHD assessment.
It is important to speak with people you know well, including colleagues, friends, former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator must be aware about your symptoms outside the office, at home or at work.
Signs and symptoms
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD in a child or an adult who has been suffering from symptoms for a very long time. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must exhibit six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity that significantly hinder daily functioning, such as making a mistake at school or work or forgetting important things. These symptoms must have begun in childhood before 12 years of age and are not caused by any other disorders, like anxiety or depression.
Your doctor will conduct an examination of your body and review your your child's medical, family and mental health history. They will also examine how you or your child behaves in different environments like at home and in school. They may request that you speak to other people about your child's behavior, including friends, relatives as well as teachers and coaches.
A thorough examination can reveal if ADHD is the reason behind a person's problems and determine the type of medication that may be most efficient. If impulsivity is a major reason for ADHD symptoms, then medication that alters the dopamine receptors could be needed. They may also have to treat health issues that are underlying such as depression or anxiety.
During the interview, your or your child's health care provider will ask you questions about their symptoms or yours and how they affect your life and how long you have been experiencing them. They will also ask about your child's medical history as well as behavioral history. They will want to know whether your child or you has a family 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 assistance as you adjust to the challenges of living with ADHD. Therapy can assist you or your child to explore their feelings, including frustration, shame, and regrets about how the disorder affected them or you. Therapy can also help you discover strategies to manage the disorder better within your child's daily life.
Diagnosis
To allow ADHD to be recognized the symptoms must satisfy specific criteria. These symptoms are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD can make it difficult for people to concentrate at school or work. They also may have trouble keeping relationships or friendships intact because of their inattention and indecisive behavior.
Screening for ADHD involves an appointment with a professional, either a doctor or a mental health provider. You might be asked to bring along old reports or other documents from your childhood to help you remember past issues. The specialist will also look at the person's past and current family medical, social and psychiatric history.
It is important to remember that many people don't exhibit symptoms of ADHD or don't have enough evidence to diagnose the condition. A majority of healthy children exhibit inattention and hyperactive behavior at times. Young children are susceptible to having short attention spans and are often unable to stay focused on one thing for long. Even teenagers and older kids may not be able remain focused for very long on something that is boring or doesn't appeal to them at all.
Consult your pediatrician when you notice these signs in your child. They may also recommend an expert in the field of developmental and behavioral disorders. You can seek recommendations from friends and relatives or look online for specialists who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It's crucial to know that your child might have a sleeping disorder or a physical illness that can cause similar symptoms.
It is crucial to speak the truth in your conversation with your health care professional. The health care provider will need to speak with an old teacher or someone close to you when you were in your early years. He or she will also look into the person's work and social life in order to determine how the symptoms affect them. The professional will then evaluate the individual and decide whether or not he suffers from ADHD. If the individual does have ADHD, the specialist will recommend a treatment program.
Treatment
You should first speak to your doctor if you think that you might be suffering from ADHD. They will refer you to a mental healthcare professional who will assess your condition and determine a diagnosis. The professional in charge of your mental health will ask you about any symptoms you've been having, and will also review your medical and family history. They'll also use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They might also request permission to speak with your family or friends as well as coworkers in order to get a better idea of how you perform in various situations and settings. They may also give you tests that are neuropsychological or psychological to assess working memory, executive function (ability to take decisions and plan), visual and spatial 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 when the symptoms began and if they have been present from the age of.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) offers guidelines for adults. These guidelines suggest that you need to have at least five of the following symptoms to be considered as a diagnosis of ADHD:
Your doctor will prescribe medications to treat your symptoms. There are stimulant and not-stimulant medicines. It may take several tries to find one that is suitable for you. Tell your doctor if any other medications are taking place, particularly those for depression or heart problems. These drugs can interfere with certain ADHD medications. Herbal supplements and other complementary health treatments can also be employed to treat ADHD. 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 diagnose ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation typically involves standardized tests and interviews. Mental health professionals, like psychologists social workers, psychologists and advanced practice nurses are the best qualified to diagnose because they know how the condition affects different areas of one's life. They can also efficiently rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. When undergoing an evaluation, it is important for the person to be able to discuss their symptoms freely and without embarrassment. They should be prepared to answer any questions that the healthcare professional might ask, including questions about their childhood and school experiences. Therapists may ask permission to speak with spouses, family members or other family members to gain information on the individual's condition and the impact they have on others.
Many people with ADHD do not remember appointments, fail to meet deadlines, and make impulsive choices which can be a challenge for even their most forgiving co-workers as well as their friends and family. Therapy that focuses specifically on these issues can assist them in developing strategies to control their impulsivity, improve their organizational skills, and learn to manage and regulate their behavior. More Support may also benefit from classes that teach them effective methods of resolving conflict and problem-solving as well as couples' therapy or other programs for improving relationships.
Counseling services for individuals with ADHD are offered at community centers as well as private practices and specialty clinics. Some offer group therapy, and others are run by licensed therapists. Some provide support groups for parents of children with ADHD. They also provide information about the disorder, treatment options, and other resources .
Counseling for ADHD is usually most efficient when it's paired with medication and behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is taught by a therapist can help people with ADHD recognize and alter the negative thinking patterns that contribute to their symptoms. For example, if they constantly worry about not completing tasks on time, counseling can help them take small steps towards their goals and reward themselves for completing the tasks. They can also design self-management techniques for routine activities such as setting alarms to wake up, putting bags and clothes in the same spot each morning, and creating an agenda for the day.