How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults are unaware they suffer from ADHD until much later in their lives. The first step to get a diagnosis involves a clinical interview. This usually involves the patient's family, friends, and other caregivers.
Ask your primary medical doctor or mental health therapist to suggest a specialist. Examine their professional and academic degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been struggling with symptoms of ADHD seeking an evaluation is a first step towards gaining control over your condition. Whether you're a daydreamer at work, forget your keys often, or simply don't finish your work at home It's crucial to see an expert in mental health that knows how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker could perform an ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Your family doctor might be able to conduct an assessment, too although many have no knowledge of ADHD in adults. A specialist with experience treating adult ADHD could be the key to your treatment success.
During the evaluation process your healthcare provider will review your personal and psychiatric history. Your healthcare doctor will ask you standardized questions in order to assess your behavior and determine if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. They will also take into consideration your childhood behaviors if they are relevant to the diagnosis. They might also examine your spouse, friends and colleagues.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has been updated to reflect the criteria for determining ADHD in adults. Adults now need only five symptoms to satisfy the criteria, whereas adolescents and children need six symptoms to be diagnosed. Your doctor may recommend cognitive learning disabilities, learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests depending on your particular situation.
It's also important to keep in mind that medication isn't the only treatment option for adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can also help manage symptoms. A therapist can help you learn strategies for managing stress, help in time management and organization skills and provide emotional support as you begin to learn how to manage your ADHD.
2. Schedule for an Evaluation
ADHD can persist into adulthood. This is why a diagnosis is equally important for adults. You'll have undergo an examination in order to get a diagnosis. The process may vary however, you can expect to go through an extensive interview with a medical professional and a physical exam and a series questionnaires or rating systems.
For adults evaluations will consider how your symptoms impact various areas of your life, including family and work. They'll also consider whether you suffer from any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid disorders, mood disorder or seizures.
You may be asked to give a detailed history of your symptoms. The examiner might require an account of your symptoms as far back as possible, since ADHD is a childhood disorder. This might require confirmation from your parents or teachers.
Getting the right evaluation is important because without treatment, unmanaged ADHD can cause serious problems. It can affect your career, relationships and self-esteem. It can also create financial problems and difficulty paying bills or keeping on top of them.
To find the right evaluation for you Ask your doctor for a referral, or consult an expert in mental health that specializes in adult ADHD. Most professionals are willing to share information about their level of education and experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If they're hesitant or do not provide this information it's a warning signal. You can also find a qualified professional by asking for recommendations from other people with ADHD or by looking through online lists of professionals.
3. Contact us to schedule a consultation
If you are considering which method to pursue for an adhd diagnosis, it's crucial that you find the right mental health specialist for you. You'll want to look for someone who has experience with ADHD in adults and who will take the time to fully examine you for the disorder. If you are not familiar with specialists who specialize in ADHD, you can check your insurance plan to see if there are any experts in your network who have training in ADHD assessment and treatment.
The first step is to schedule a consult with the professional you have chosen. This will allow the psychiatrist or psychologist to meet with you to determine if ADHD is the best diagnosis for your symptoms. They'll also conduct an entire checkup, which includes vision and hearing tests to ensure that a different health problem isn't causing your issues.
Your symptoms must have been present at least six months and affect your ability to perform in two different situations to be classified as ADHD. This is the case at school, home or at work, as well as in social environments. You may be asked to fill out an assessment system for your behavior to help you recognize your signs.
The evaluator may also inquire about your family's history of ADHD and may use a checklist to assess your symptoms against DSM-5 criteria. They may also ask you questions about your school, family life, and determine whether there is a pattern in your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
Your professional may also choose to conduct brain scans or blood tests as part of the assessment. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like sleep disorders and anxiety.
4. Complete a Psychiatric Evaluation
The first step towards resolving symptoms and seeking treatment is to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. Whether you keep losing your keys, find it difficult to concentrate at work, or your relationships are strained, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and determining the best coping strategies.
Your doctor will interview you and ask about your history with ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know about your family history, where and how you noticed the symptoms begin to manifest and know how the symptoms have affected your work, family life, social life, and overall health. It is essential to be honest and open.
The psychologist or psychiatrist who conducts your psychiatric assessment will also look over your medical and psychopathological history. They will also use a thorough checklist to examine your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are described in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Your evaluator could also decide to take other tests in addition to assessing your ADHD symptoms. These could include cognitive tests to rule out mental or learning disabilities that could be causing difficulties. They'll also need to perform physical examinations to rule out illnesses like seizures and thyroid disorders that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological testing are trained to evaluate the severity of a variety of disorders. They are trained to spot symptoms of a wide range of disorders, such as depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and other mental health issues.
5. Take a medical exam
You will be questioned by psychiatrists or mental health professional about your symptoms. The length of this will differ depending on the doctor however, it typically lasts up to an hour. During this time you will be asked to explain your symptoms and concerns in detail. You might also be requested to have your teachers or caregivers fill out similar forms.
undiagnosed adhd adults ask a set of questions that are standardized to increase reliability and decrease the chance that different interviewers could have different results. They will ask you questions about your current symptoms as well as since your childhood. They will also go over the diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD features you exhibit.
Some evaluators might want to perform other tests in addition. Some evaluators will also run cognitive tests to determine if you have intellectual disabilities which could be causing ADHD symptoms. They may also check your symptoms for other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. They can also perform medical tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.
It is important that you answer these questions in completeness and honestly. While it may be uncomfortable to discuss your struggles, it will aid the evaluator in finding out as much as they can about your issues. They will use this information to identify if your ADHD symptoms are due to other conditions or if you are suffering from ADHD.
It is not unusual for a psychiatrist to inquire about other people's experiences with your symptoms. They will often want to talk to your partner or spouse, especially if you are an adult. They may also want to speak with your teachers, parents or daycare providers if they have children.