How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults are unaware they have ADHD until much later in life. The first step to get a diagnosis involves a clinical interview. This will usually involve the patient, their family members and friends, and other caregivers.
Ask your primary medical doctor or mental health professional to suggest an expert. Research their academic and professional degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD seeking an evaluation is a first step towards gaining control over your condition. If you're a daydreamer at work, lose your keys frequently, or don't finish your work at home It's crucial to see an expert in mental health that is aware of how to treat adults with ADHD.
A psychiatrist or clinical social worker, or psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family physician can also conduct an assessment, but many are not aware of ADHD in adults. A specialist with had experience treating adults with ADHD may be the most important factor in your treatment's success.
Your doctor will review your medical and psychiatric history during the evaluation process. They will employ standardized questions to evaluate your behavior and determine if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. If your childhood behavior is related to the diagnosis, they'll also look into it. They might also inquire about your spouse, friends and colleagues.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which was published by the American Psychiatric Association, has updated its criteria for diagnosing ADHD in adults. Adults only require five symptoms to be diagnosed, whereas children and adolescents require six. Based on your specific situation, your doctor may recommend neuropsychological, cognitive or learning disabilities tests to know how ADHD affects you.
getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult 's also important to remember that medication isn't the only treatment option for adults with ADHD. A combination of changes in lifestyle and psychotherapy can help to manage symptoms as well. A therapist can assist you manage stress, time management and organization skills. They can also offer emotional support while you adjust to living with ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
ADHD can last into adulthood. This is why having a diagnosis can be equally crucial for adults. To receive a diagnosis, you'll need to undergo an evaluation. The procedure can differ however, you should anticipate a lengthy interview with a medical professional along with a physical exam and a series of questions or rating scales.
For adults evaluations will consider how your symptoms impact various aspects of your life, such as work and family. They'll also consider whether you have any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your ADHD-like symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or mood disorders, as well as seizures.
As part of the assessment you may be asked to give a history of your symptoms as far as you can. Because ADHD develops during the early years of childhood, the examiner will want to know if you had a few months of symptoms before age 12. This could require confirmation from teachers or parents.
Getting the right evaluation is important because without treatment untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. It can affect your work and relationships. In addition, it can cause financial issues and difficulty keeping track of expenses or making payments.
To determine the most suitable assessor for your needs, ask your personal doctor for a referral, or consult an expert in mental health who specializes in adult ADHD. Most professionals will be willing to give you information regarding their level of training and experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're hesitant or do not provide this information is a warning sign. You can also locate an experienced professional by asking for recommendations from other people with ADHD or by looking through online lists of professionals.
3. Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering which method to pursue for an adhd diagnosis, it is crucial to choose the right mental health professional for you. You'll need to find a doctor who has experience in ADHD in adults, and who will fully evaluate you. If you're not familiar with specialists in ADHD you can inquire with your insurance policy to see whether there are any experts within your network with expertise in ADHD evaluation and treatment.
The first step is to schedule a consultation with the expert you've selected. This will allow the psychiatrist or psychologist to meet with you and determine whether ADHD is the most appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms. They'll also conduct a full physical examination that includes hearing and vision tests to make sure that there isn't a health issue causing your symptoms.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months. They must hinder your ability to function in at minimum two settings. This includes your home, school, work, and social situations. You may also be asked to complete a behavior rating scale to help identify your specific signs.
The evaluator might inquire about your family's history of ADHD and may use a checklist to assess your symptoms against the DSM-5 criteria. They will also ask you questions about your family, school and work routine to see if there are any patterns in your conduct that could indicate the presence of ADHD.
Additionally, your physician might also suggest brain scans and blood tests as part of the evaluation process. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including depression, sleep disorders anxiety, stress and learning disabilities.
4. Complete a Psychiatric Evaluation
The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis is the first step toward finding a treatment plan and reducing the symptoms that may be wreaking chaos in your life. If you're having trouble working with focus, losing your keys or have a difficult time maintaining relationships, a clear diagnosis will help you improve your life.
Your doctor will need to interview you and inquire about your past experiences with ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know about your family history, when and where you noticed the symptoms, as well as how they have affected your work and social life. It is important to be open and honest.
The psychiatrist or psychologist who conducts your psychiatric assessment will also review your medical and psychopathological history. They will also use an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms fit the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are outlined by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition.
Your evaluator could also decide to perform other tests in addition to assessing your ADHD symptoms. This could include cognitive tests to rule out learning or mental disabilities that could be causing problems. They may also conduct a physical examination to rule out any conditions like thyroid disorders and seizures, which can sometimes cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Psychologists who perform psychological testing have been trained in specialized areas that enable for thorough assessments for a wide variety of disorders. They are able to recognize symptoms of a wide range of disorders, including depression and anxiety as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and various mental health issues.
5. Take a medical exam
A psychiatrist or mental health provider will speak with you about your issues. The duration of the interview will vary depending on the doctor, but it usually lasts at least an hour. During this time, you will be asked to describe your symptoms in detail and answer questions about your symptoms. You might also be asked to have your caregivers or teachers complete similar forms.
These questionnaires are designed to provide a set of questions that are uniform, increasing reliability and reducing the chance that interviewers can come up with different answers. They will inquire about your symptoms in both the present and from your childhood. They will also go over diagnostic criteria to determine how many ADHD characteristics you have.
Some evaluators may also want to perform additional tests. Some evaluators also conduct cognitive tests in order to check for learning or intellectual disabilities which could be causing ADHD symptoms. They will also screen for other illnesses that could be contributing to your symptoms, like anxiety or depression. They may also do medical tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure disorders.
Answering these questions honestly and completely is crucial. It may be awkward to discuss your problems however it will help the person evaluating you 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's ADHD.
It is not uncommon for a psychiatrist to inquire from other people about your symptoms. They often request to speak with your partner or spouse, especially if they are adults. They may also want to talk with your children's teachers, parents, or daycare providers.