How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults don't realize they suffer from ADHD until later in life. The first step in getting diagnosed is to conduct a medical interview. It usually involves the patient, his family, friends, and other caregivers.
Ask your primary doctor or mental health professional to recommend a specialist. Examine their professional and academic degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD and need a professional evaluation, it is the first step in taking control of your condition. If you're a dreamer or often lose your keys, or you don't complete tasks at home, then it's important to speak with a mental health specialist who knows how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker may perform an ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Your family physician can also perform an assessment, but many do not have a good understanding of ADHD in adults. Seeing a specialist skilled in treating adults with ADHD can make all the difference in your treatment success.
In the evaluation process your healthcare provider will examine your psychiatric and personal history. adhd diagnosis in adults will ask you standardized questions to assess your current behavior and determine if you have symptoms of ADHD. If your childhood behavior is relevant to the diagnosis, they will also look into it. They may also ask to interview your significant other, family members 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 used to diagnose ADHD in adults. Adults now need only five signs to meet the criteria, while adolescents and children need six to receive a diagnosis. Depending on your situation, your clinician may recommend neuropsychological, cognitive or learning disabilities testing to better know the way ADHD affects you.
It's important to note, too, that medication isn't your only option for treating adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can also help to manage symptoms. A therapist can assist you with stress management as well as time management and organization abilities. They can also provide emotional support as you adjust to living with ADHD.
2. Schedule and an Evaluation
ADHD can persist throughout adulthood. A diagnosis is important for adults. To get a diagnosis you'll have to undergo an evaluation. The process may differ, but you should expect an extensive conversation with a healthcare professional, a physical exam and a series of questionnaires or rating scales.
Adults will be evaluated on how their symptoms affect various areas of their lives, including work and family. They will also examine the medical conditions that may be causing symptoms that are similar to ADHD. This could include thyroid disorders, mood disorders or seizures.
As part of the evaluation, you might be asked to provide the details of your symptoms as long as you can. Since ADHD is a condition that develops in the early years of childhood, the examiner will be looking to determine if you had just a few months of afflictions before age 12. This might require confirmation from your teachers or parents.
It is important to get the correct diagnosis since untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. It can affect your career, relationships and self-esteem. It can also create financial issues and difficulties in paying bills or keeping the track of them.
Ask your doctor for a referral or contact a mental health professional who is specialized in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals are willing to share information about their training and experience working with adults who have ADHD. If they're reluctant or unwilling to disclose this information, it's a red flag. You can also locate an ADHD professional by asking others with ADHD for recommendations or by looking online for professionals.
3. Schedule a Consultation
It is essential to choose the most qualified mental health professional to determine if you have adhd. You will want to seek out a professional who has expertise in ADHD in adults and will spend the time to thoroughly evaluate you for the disorder. If you do not know of any specialists who specialize in ADHD you can check with your insurance company to determine if they have experts who are trained in ADHD assessment and treatment.
If you have found a professional, the first step will be to schedule an initial consultation. This will allow the psychiatrist or psychologist to meet with you and determine whether ADHD is the best diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also perform an extensive physical examination including hearing and vision tests to make sure that there's no other health issue that is causing your issues.
Your symptoms must have been present at least six months and have impacted your ability to perform in two different environments to be considered ADHD. This includes your home, school or work situations. You might 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 use a checklist to score your symptoms against DSM-5 criteria. They will also interview you about your family, school and work routine to determine if there are any patterns in your conduct that could indicate the presence of ADHD.
Your doctor may also decide to perform brain scans and blood tests in the course of the evaluation. They will also be looking for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as depression, sleep disorders, anxiety and learning disabilities.
4. Complete a Psychiatric Assessment
The first step to controlling symptoms and obtaining treatment is to get an ADHD diagnosis. Whether you keep losing your keys, are finding it difficult to focus at work or if your relationships are strained, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and determining the best coping strategies.
Your doctor will need to interview you and ask about your history with ADHD symptoms. They'll be interested in knowing your family history, when and where you experienced the symptoms, and how they've affected your work and social life. It is crucial to be honest and open.
The psychologist or psychiatrist conducting your psychiatric examination will review your medical background. They will also utilize a thorough checklist to look at your symptoms and determine if you 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.
In addition to examining your ADHD symptoms, your evaluator will likely be looking to conduct other tests. This could include cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or intellectual issues that could be causing your problems. They can also conduct physical tests to rule out any conditions such as thyroid disorders or seizures, which can sometimes mimic symptoms of ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological tests are trained to analyze the severity of a variety of disorders. They're able to spot the signs of many disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Take a medical exam
A psychiatrist or mental health provider will speak with you about your concerns. The duration of the interview will vary depending on the practitioner, but it usually lasts an hour or more. During this time, you'll be asked to describe your symptoms in detail and answer questions about your symptoms. You might also be asked to have your teachers or caregivers fill out similar forms.
These questionnaires ask a series of questions that are standardized to improve reliability and reduce the possibility that different interviewers will arrive at different conclusions. They will ask you questions about your current symptoms as well as from your childhood. They will also review the diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD traits you have.
Some evaluators might want to perform other tests too. For instance, some run cognitive tests to look for intellectual or learning disabilities which could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They will also screen for other conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. They may also do medical exams to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders.
Answering these questions honestly and fully is vital. It might be uncomfortable to talk about your issues, but it will assist the evaluator learn as much as possible. They will analyze this information to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to an additional condition or if you are suffering from ADHD.
It is not uncommon for a psychiatric evaluation specialist to ask other people about your symptoms. They may want to speak with your partner or spouse, particularly in the case of an adult. They may also want to speak with your children's teachers, parents or daycare providers.