How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults do not realize they suffer from ADHD until much later in their lives. The first step towards receiving a diagnosis is a clinical interview. The typical scenario involves the patient, their family members and acquaintances, as well as other caregivers.
Find an expert by asking your primary care physician or mental health therapist for suggestions. 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 to gaining control over your condition. If you're a dreamer at work, lose your keys frequently, or don't finish projects at home, it's important to visit an expert in mental health who understands how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker may perform an ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Your family doctor might be able to perform an assessment, too, though many of them are not knowledgeable about ADHD in adults. A specialist with experience treating adult ADHD may be the most important factor in your treatment's success.
Your doctor will examine your medical and psychiatric records during the assessment process. Your healthcare practitioner will ask you standard questions in order to assess your behavior and determine if you have symptoms of ADHD. They will also consider your childhood behaviors when they relate to the diagnosis. They may also ask to inquire about your significant other, friends and colleagues.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which was published by the American Psychiatric Association, has revised its criteria for identifying ADHD for adults. Adults require only five symptoms to be diagnosed, whereas children and adolescents require six. Depending on your situation, your physician may recommend neuropsychological, cognitive or learning disabilities tests to understand the way ADHD affects you.
It's also important to keep in mind that medication isn't the only treatment option for adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can also aid in managing symptoms. A therapist can teach you stress management techniques, assist with time management and organization skills, and offer emotional support as you begin to learn to live with your ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
ADHD can last throughout adulthood. A diagnosis is important for adults. You'll need undergo an examination to receive 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, evaluators will look at how your symptoms impact various areas of your life, including work and family. They will also consider underlying medical conditions which could be causing symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These could include thyroid disorders as well as mood disorders or seizures.
You might be asked to provide an in-depth account of your symptoms. The evaluator may ask you to provide an account of your symptoms as long as they can, as ADHD is a childhood disorder. This could require confirmation from your teachers or parents.
A thorough evaluation is crucial because, if not treated, unmanaged ADHD can lead to serious problems. It can impact your job and relationships. In addition, it can create financial problems and difficulties managing bills or making payments.
To determine the most suitable evaluator for you consult your physician for a referral or contact an expert in mental health who specializes in adult ADHD. Most professionals will be willing to provide information about their level of training and their experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If they're not willing or unwilling to provide this information, it's an indication of a problem. You can also locate an expert who is qualified by asking for recommendations from other people with ADHD or by looking through online lists of professionals.
3. Contact us to schedule a consultation
It is crucial to select the best mental health specialist to determine if you have adhd. You'll need to find a doctor who has experience in ADHD in adults, and who will examine you in depth. If you're not acquainted with specialists who specialize in ADHD, you can check your insurance policy to see whether there are any specialists within your network with training in ADHD evaluation and treatment.
The first step is to schedule a consultation with the expert you've chosen. This will enable the psychologist or psychiatrist to meet with you to determine if ADHD is the best diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also conduct complete tests, including hearing and vision tests, to make sure that another health issue isn't the cause of your issues.
Your symptoms must have been present for at least for six months and interfere with your ability perform in two different situations to be considered ADHD. This includes your home, school as well as work situations. You might also be asked to complete a scale of behavior rating to help identify your specific symptoms.
The evaluator will also likely ask you about your family history of ADHD and may also use a checklist to assess your symptoms against the DSM-5 criteria. They may also ask you questions about your family life, school and will determine whether there is a pattern to your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
Your professional may also choose to conduct brain scans and blood tests as part of the assessment. They will also check for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like sleep disorders, depression anxiety, depression and learning disabilities.
4. Perform a Psychiatric Assessment
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is the first step to finding a treatment plan and reducing the symptoms that could be wreaking chaos in your life. Whether you keep losing your keys, find it difficult to concentrate at work or if your relationships are suffering, a precise diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and determining the best coping strategies.
Your doctor will ask you to be questioned and inquire about your history of ADHD symptoms. They'll be interested in knowing your family history, the reasons for your symptoms, and where you experienced the symptoms, as well as how they have affected your work and social life. I Am Psychiatry to be truthful and not hide any details.
The psychologist or psychiatrist who is conducting your psychiatric assessment will also review your medical background. They will also use a detailed checklist to examine your symptoms and determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
In addition to examining your ADHD symptoms the evaluator may be looking to conduct other tests. This could include cognitive tests to rule out mental or learning impairments that could be causing problems. They may also conduct physical tests to rule out conditions like thyroid disorders and seizures, which may mimic symptoms of ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological tests have specialized training that prepares them to conduct thorough tests for a wide range of disorders. They're qualified to identify the signs of a variety of disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Take a medical exam
You will be interviewed by psychiatrists or mental health professional regarding your symptoms. This can last up to an hour depending on the specialist. During this time, you will be asked to describe your symptoms in detail and answer questions about your symptoms. You might be required to complete similar forms by your parents or teachers.
These questionnaires are composed of questions that are standardised to increase reliability and reduce the possibility that different interviewers will have different results. They will ask you about your symptoms now and since childhood. They will also go over diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you have.
Some evaluators might require other tests in addition. Certain evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests in order to check for learning or intellectual disabilities that could be causing ADHD symptoms. They may also check your symptoms for other disorders like anxiety and depression. They may also perform medical exams to rule other causes of your symptoms, such as seizures and thyroid disorders.
It is essential that you answer these questions in completeness and honestly. It might be embarrassing to discuss your issues however it will help the person evaluating you to learn as much as they can. This information will be used to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to another disorder or if it is ADHD.
It is not unusual for a psychiatric evaluator to ask other people about your symptoms. They are likely to talk to your partner or spouse, particularly when you are an adult. They may also want to speak with your teachers, parents, or daycare providers, if you have children.