Getting a Diagnosis for ADHD
The first step in managing symptoms that interferes with your education, work or relationships is to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your primary care physician can refer you to a mental health professional who is qualified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Interview people who know you, for example, your friends, coworkers and former teachers or religious leaders. Your evaluator will also require details regarding your symptoms in settings outside of the office, such as home or work.
Signs and symptoms
It isn't easy to identify ADHD in a child or an adult who has had symptoms for a very long time. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must have six or more established symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention, and impulsivity that significantly hinder daily functioning, such as making careless mistakes at work or at school, or forgetting important things. These symptoms must have begun in childhood, before age 12 and cannot be caused by another disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
Your health care provider will conduct an examination of your body and review your your child's medical, family and mental health history. They will also assess how your or child performs in various settings, such as school and home. They might require you to talk to others about your or child's behavior, such as parents, friends, teachers, and coaches.
adults diagnosed with adhd will determine if ADHD is the cause of the issue and the most effective medication to take. For instance, if a person's ADHD symptoms are primarily due to impulsivity, they might need medication that affects the dopamine system. They may also have to address other underlying health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
During the interview, you or your child's health provider will ask you questions about their symptoms or yours that have affected your life and the length of time you've been suffering from them. They will also inquire about your or your child’s previous health history and behavior history. They will inquire if you or your children have a a family history with ADHD. It is highly hereditary.
If you or your child is diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can provide assistance and guidance in adjusting to living with the condition. Therapy can assist you or your child discover their feelings, such as anxiety, shame, or regrets about how the disorder affected them or you. It can also assist in developing strategies to manage the disorder in your child's or in your everyday life.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must meet the criteria of a specific set. The symptoms are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD can cause people to be unable to focus at work or school. They also may have trouble maintaining friendships or relationships because of their inattention and unpredictable behavior.
Screening for ADHD involves an interview with a professional, whether a physician or mental health professional. The person may be asked to bring reports cards from childhood or any other records that might aid in recollecting problems that occurred in the past. The specialist will also take a look at the person's present and past family, medical, psychiatric and social background.
It's important that you know that many people don't have ADHD symptoms or do not show enough for the condition to be diagnosed. In reality, many healthy children exhibit inattention or hyperactive behavior from time to time. Young children have short attention spans and are often unable to stay focused on a single task for a long time. Even older children and teenagers may not be able stay focused for long on something boring or doesn't appeal to them very much.
It is recommended to consult your pediatrician if you observe these behaviors in your child. They may also recommend a doctor who is specialized in disorders of development and behavior. You can seek recommendations from relatives and friends or search online for professionals who specialize in ADHD evaluations. It's also helpful to be aware that your child may suffer from a sleep disorder, or another physical condition that could cause similar symptoms.
During the interview with your health care professional it is important to be honest and tell the truth about your symptoms. The health care provider may want to speak with a teacher or other individuals who knew you in the early years, and he/ will also take a look at the individual's work and social activities to determine how the symptoms affect them. The professional will then evaluate the person and decide if or not he has ADHD. If the person is diagnosed with ADHD, the specialist will suggest a treatment plan.
Treatment
You should first speak to your doctor if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. They will refer you to an expert in mental health who can perform an evaluation and determine an assessment. The mental health professional will ask you about your symptoms and review your medical and family history. They'll also employ the standardized behavioral rating scales as well as ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also request your permission to contact your family, friends, and coworkers to get a better understanding of how you operate in different situations and environments. They may also administer tests of neuropsychological or psychological nature to determine your working memory, executive functions (ability to plan, make decisions, and have visual and spatial skills) and reasoning ability as well as spatial and visual abilities.
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. He or she will also look at the time that symptoms first began to manifest and if they've been present since the age of.
For adults and older adults, the American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The criteria stipulate that you must have at least five signs of ADHD to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your symptoms. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medications that may require several attempts to find the one that works best for you. Be sure to tell your doctor if taking any other medication, especially those for depression or heart problems. These drugs may interact with some ADHD medications. Some people also turn to alternative approaches to health care for help with ADHD, such as herbal supplements. These interventions are not evidence-based because they haven't been proven to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms.
Counseling
There isn't a single test for diagnosing ADHD. However, a comprehensive test will consist of standardized tests and interviews. Mental health professionals such as social workers and psychologists, or advanced practice nurses are most qualified to diagnose ADHD because they know how it impacts different aspects of the individual's life. They can also identify other conditions that may trigger similar symptoms. In the course of an examination it is essential that the person is able to talk about their symptoms without embarrassment. They should be prepared to answer any questions the healthcare professional might have regarding their school and childhood experiences. Some therapists request permission to interview family members, spouses or other family members to gain information about the person's health issues and their impact on others.
Many adults who have ADHD are unable to remember appointments, forget deadlines, and make decisions that test the patience of even their most forgiving co-workers as well as their friends and family. Therapy that is focused on these issues will assist them in developing strategies to control their impulsivity, enhance their organizational skills, and learn to monitor and control their own behavior. They may also benefit from classes that teach them effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, as well as from couples' therapy or other programs that help improve relationships.
Counseling services are available in community centers, private practices and special clinics for those who suffer from ADHD. Some offer group therapy, and others are led by licensed therapists. Some offer support groups for parents of children suffering from ADHD. They also provide information about the disorder, treatment options and other sources.
Counseling for ADHD is usually most efficient when it's coupled with behavior therapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is taught by a therapist, can help a person with ADHD recognize and alter the negative thinking patterns contributing to their symptoms. Counseling can help a person who is constantly concerned about not finishing a task in time to learn how to reward themselves for finishing the task. They can also develop self-management systems to manage routine tasks, such as setting an alarm for waking up and putting their clothes and schoolbags at the same spot each morning.