How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults don't learn they have ADHD until later in their lives. The first step towards getting a diagnosis is a medical interview. The typical scenario involves the patient, their family and acquaintances, as well as other caregivers.
Ask your primary medical doctor or mental health professional to suggest a specialist. Find out about 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 to gaining control over your condition. If you're a dreamer, frequently lose your keys, or you don't complete tasks at home, then it is crucial to talk with an expert in mental health that is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychiatrist or clinical social worker psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family doctor may also conduct an assessment, but many are not aware of ADHD in adults. A specialist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD may be the most important factor in your treatment's success.
In the process of evaluation your doctor will examine your psychiatric and personal history. They will use standard questions to evaluate your current behavior and determine if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. They will also take into account your childhood behaviors if they are relevant to the diagnosis. They may request interviews with your significant other or friends and colleagues too.
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 need now only five signs to meet the criteria, whereas adolescents and children must show six to receive a diagnosis. Based on your specific situation, your clinician may suggest cognitive, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities to better comprehend the way ADHD affects you.
It's also important to keep in mind that medication isn't the only treatment option for adult ADHD. A combination of psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can help control symptoms too. A therapist can teach you techniques for managing stress, assist in time management and organization techniques, and offer emotional support as you learn to live with your ADHD.
2. Schedule and an Evaluation
ADHD can persist throughout adulthood. This is why a diagnosis is equally crucial for adults. To be diagnosed you'll have undergo an evaluation. The process can vary however, you should anticipate a lengthy interview with a medical professional as well as a physical examination and a series questionnaires or rating scales.
For adults, evaluators will look at how your symptoms are impacting various areas of your life, such as work and family. They'll also determine if you suffer from any medical conditions that could be causing your ADHD-like symptoms. This could include thyroid issues, mood disorder or seizures.
You might be asked to provide an extensive account of your symptoms. The examiner may request an account of your symptoms as far as they can, as ADHD is a child-related disorder. This might require confirmation from teachers or parents.
It is important to get the correct diagnosis since untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. It can affect your job, relationships, and self-esteem. Additionally, it could cause financial issues and difficulty keeping track of expenses or making payments.
To find the right assessor for your needs consult your physician for a referral or contact an expert in mental health who specializes in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals will be able to provide information about their level of training and their experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're not willing or do not provide this information is a warning sign. You can also find an ADHD professional by asking others with ADHD for recommendations or looking online for professionals.
3. Schedule a Consultation
When you are deciding how to get an adhd diagnosis, it is crucial to choose the right mental health professional for you. You'll want to find someone who has experience in ADHD in adults, and who will thoroughly evaluate you. If you do not know of any specialists who specialize in ADHD you can contact your insurance provider to see if they have experts who are trained in ADHD assessment and treatment.
I Am Psychiatry is to schedule a consultation with the professional you've selected. This will allow the psychologist or psychiatrist to meet with you to determine if ADHD is the most appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also perform an extensive physical examination that includes hearing and vision tests to make sure that there isn't a health issue causing your symptoms.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms you experience must have been present for at minimum six months. They must interfere with your ability to function in at minimum two settings. This includes home, school as well as work situations. You may be asked to complete a scale of behavior rating to help identify your specific behavior patterns.
The evaluator might also inquire about the history of your family's ADHD and may use a checklist for scoring your symptoms in relation to the DSM-5 criteria. They may also ask you questions about your family life, school and determine whether there is a pattern to your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
Additionally, your doctor might also suggest brain scans and blood tests as part of the evaluation process. They may also look into other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as sleep disorders and anxiety.
4. Perform a Psychiatric Examination
The first step in reducing symptoms and getting treatment is to get an ADHD diagnosis. If you are constantly losing your keys, experience it difficult to concentrate at work, or your relationships are suffering, an accurate diagnosis is crucial for improving these issues and determining the best coping strategies.
Your doctor will need you to be interviewed and inquire about your history of ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know about your family history, the reasons for your symptoms, and where you noticed the symptoms, and how they've affected your social and professional life. It's crucial to be truthful and not hide any details.
The psychiatrist or psychologist performing your psychiatric examination will review your medical background. They will also utilize an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are laid out by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition.
In addition to examining your ADHD symptoms the evaluator may want to do some other tests. This could include cognitive tests to determine if you have intellectual or learning impairments that could be the cause of your issues. They may also conduct a physical examination to rule out conditions such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which can sometimes mimic symptoms of ADHD.
Psychologists who perform psychological testing have specialized training that prepares them to conduct thorough tests for a wide variety of disorders. They are able to recognize the signs of many disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Take a medical assessment
A psychiatrist or mental health provider will interview you about your symptoms. The length of this will differ depending on the doctor however, it typically lasts at least an hour. During this time, you'll be asked to describe your symptoms in detail and complete questionnaires about your symptoms. You might be asked to fill out similar forms by your caregivers or teachers.
These questionnaires are designed to provide an array of questions that is standardised which improves reliability and reduces the chance that interviewers will come up with different answers. They will inquire about your current symptoms as well as since childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria in order to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you meet.
Some evaluators might also be inclined to run additional tests. For instance, some conduct cognitive tests to check for intellectual or learning disabilities which could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They will also screen your symptoms for other conditions like anxiety and depression. They can also conduct medical tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms, for instance thyroid disorders or seizure disorders.
Answering these questions honestly and fully is crucial. It may be embarrassing to discuss your issues but it will assist the evaluator gain as much information as is possible. The information gathered will be used to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to a different condition or if they are ADHD.
It is not unusual for a psychiatric evaluator to interview other people about your symptoms. They may want to talk to your partner or spouse, particularly in the case of an adult. They might also want to talk with your teachers, parents, or daycare providers if you have children.