How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults are unaware they suffer from ADHD until later in their lives. The first step to get a diagnosis involves a clinical interview. This usually involves the patient, family, friends, and other caregivers.
Find an expert by asking your primary care doctor or a mental health therapist for recommendations. Then research their professional certification and academic degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD, getting an assessment is the first step towards taking control over your condition. If you are a daydreamer and often lose your keys, or never complete projects at home, then it's important to speak with an expert in mental health that knows how to treat adults with ADHD.
A psychiatrist or clinical social worker, or psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family doctor may be able to conduct an assessment, too however, many of them have limited knowledge about ADHD in adults. A specialist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD could be the most important factor in your treatment's success.
Your doctor will review your medical and psychiatric records during the assessment process. Your healthcare practitioner will ask you standard questions to evaluate your behavior and determine whether or not you show symptoms of ADHD. They will also consider your childhood behaviors when they relate to the diagnosis. They might request interviews with your significant others or colleagues and friends, too.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) released by the American Psychiatric Association, has updated its criteria for diagnosing ADHD among adults. Adults require only five signs to meet the criteria, whereas adolescents and children must show six in order to be considered as having a diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend cognitive or learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests depending on your situation.
It's important to note, too, that medication isn't the only option for treating adult ADHD. A combination of lifestyle changes and psychotherapy can help control symptoms too. A therapist can teach you strategies for managing stress, help in time management and organization skills and provide emotional support as you learn to live with your ADHD.
2. Schedule and an Evaluation
While we usually think of ADHD as a child-like condition however, it can persist into adulthood. A diagnosis is crucial for adults. You'll need undergo an examination to receive a diagnosis. The process may differ in each case, but you should expect a lengthy interview with a health professional along with a physical exam and a series questionnaires or rating scales.
Adults will be assessed on how their symptoms affect various areas of their lives, such as work and family. They will also look at any medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult could include thyroid disorders and mood disorders, as well as seizures.
You may be asked to give an extensive account of your symptoms. The evaluator may ask you to provide the details of your symptoms as far as they can, as ADHD is a disorder that affects children. This may require confirmation from your teachers or parents.
A thorough evaluation is essential because, without treatment, unmanaged ADHD can lead to serious problems. It can affect your career and relationships. It can also cause financial difficulties and make it difficult to pay bills or keeping track of them.
To determine the most suitable evaluator for you, ask your personal doctor for a referral or contact an expert in mental health who specializes in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals are willing to give information about their education and experience in working with adults with ADHD. If they're hesitant or refuse to disclose the information, it's a red flag. You can also find a qualified professional by asking for recommendations from people with ADHD or by looking at online lists of professionals.
3. Schedule a Consultation
It is essential to choose the best mental health specialist to determine if you have adhd. You'll need to find someone who has experience with ADHD in adults, and who can thoroughly evaluate you. If you don't know any professionals who specialize in ADHD you can inquire with your insurance company to determine whether they have specialists who are certified in ADHD assessment and treatment.
The first step is to set up a meeting with the expert you've chosen. This will allow the psychiatrist or psychologist to meet with you and determine if ADHD is the most appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also conduct a full checkup, including hearing and vision tests, to make sure that another health problem isn't causing your problems.
To be considered to have ADHD, your symptoms must have been present for at least six months and must interfere with your ability to function in at least two different settings. This is the case at school, at home in the workplace, and in social environments. You might be asked to fill in an assessment system for your behavior to help you determine your symptoms.
The evaluator may also ask about the family history of ADHD and will utilize a checklist to score your symptoms in relation to the DSM-5 criteria. They will also ask you questions about your life in the family, school and determine whether there is a pattern to your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
Additionally, your doctor might decide to conduct blood work and brain scans as part of the evaluation process. They may also look into other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety and sleep disorders.
4. Perform a Psychiatric Examination
The first step to controlling symptoms and getting treatment is to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. Whether you keep losing your keys, find it difficult to focus at work or if your relationships are suffering, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and finding the most effective strategies for coping.
Your doctor will interview you and inquire about your experience with ADHD symptoms. They'll be interested in knowing your family history, when and where you experienced the symptoms, as well as how they've affected your work and social life. It is important to be honest and open.
The psychiatrist or psychologist performing your psychiatric evaluation will examine your medical history. They will also use a thorough checklist to assess your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Your evaluator could also decide to conduct other tests in addition to assessing your ADHD symptoms. This could include cognitive testing to determine if you have learning or intellectual issues that could be causing your problems. They may also conduct a physical examination to rule out conditions like thyroid disorders and seizures, which could be a symptom of ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological testing are trained to assess the severity of a variety of disorders. They are trained to spot symptoms of a wide range of disorders, including depression and anxiety and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health issues.
5. Perform a medical evaluation
You will be interviewed by psychiatrists or a mental health professional regarding your symptoms. The length of the interview will vary depending on the practitioner however, it will usually last up to an hour. During this time, you'll be asked to describe your symptoms in detail and answer questions regarding your symptoms. You may also be required to have your family caregivers or teachers complete similar forms.
These questionnaires ask a set of questions that are standardized to improve reliability and reduce the possibility that different interviewers will come up with different results. They will ask you about your symptoms in both the present and from childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you exhibit.
Certain evaluators may want to perform other tests as well. Some evaluators also conduct cognitive tests in order to determine if you have intellectual disabilities that could be causing ADHD symptoms. They may also test for other ailments that could be causing your symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety. They can also perform medical tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.
It is important that you answer these questions completely and honestly. It can be embarrassing to discuss your problems but it will assist the evaluator to learn as much as they can. The information gathered will be used to determine if your ADHD symptoms can be attributed to another condition or if it is ADHD.
It is not uncommon for a psychiatric evaluator to interview other people about your symptoms. They are likely to talk with your partner or spouse, especially if you are an adult. They may also want to speak with your children's teachers, parents or daycare providers.