How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults do not realize they suffer from ADHD until much later in their lives. The first step in being diagnosed is a medical interview. The typical scenario involves the patient, his family, friends, and other caregivers.
Find a specialist by asking your primary physician or mental health therapist suggestions. Research their professional and academic degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been suffering from symptoms of ADHD seeking an assessment is the first step to gaining control over your condition. If you are a daydreamer, often lose your keys, or don't finish projects at home, it is crucial to talk with a mental health specialist who is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker can conduct an ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Your family doctor may also conduct an assessment, but many have limited knowledge of ADHD in adults. A visit to a specialist familiar with treating adults with ADHD can make all the difference to your treatment's success.
During the evaluation process your doctor will examine your psychiatric and personal history. They will use standardized questions to evaluate your behavior and determine if there are symptoms of ADHD. If your childhood behavior is relevant to the diagnosis, they will also consider it. They might also interview your significant other, friends and colleagues.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has updated the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in adults. Adults only need five symptoms to be diagnosed, while adolescents and children require six. Based on your particular situation, your physician might recommend neuropsychological, cognitive or learning disabilities testing to know how ADHD affects you.
It's also important to keep in mind that medication isn't the only treatment option for adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can also help manage symptoms. A therapist can assist you with stress management, time management and organizational skills. They can also offer emotional support as you learn to live with ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
While we often think of ADHD as a condition that affects children but it can be a recurring issue into adulthood. This is why a diagnosis is equally crucial for adults. To be diagnosed you'll have undergo an assessment. The procedure may differ depending on the patient, but you can anticipate a long interview with a medical professional, a physical examination, and a series of questions or rating systems.
For adults, evaluators will look at the way your symptoms affect various areas of your life, such as family and work. They'll also consider whether there are any medical conditions that may be causing your ADHD-like symptoms. These might include thyroid disorders or mood disorders, as well as seizures.
As part of the assessment, you might be asked to give an account of your symptoms as far back as possible. Since ADHD develops in the early years of childhood, the evaluator will want to know if you had some months of symptoms before age 12. This might require confirmation from your parents or teachers.
A thorough evaluation is essential because, without treatment, unmanaged ADHD can cause serious problems. It can affect your job and relationships. It can also lead to financial difficulties and make it difficult to pay bills or keeping on top of them.
Ask your doctor for a recommendation or consult a mental health professional who specializes in adult ADHD. Most professionals are willing to give you information regarding their level of education and experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're not willing or refuse this information, it's a warning sign. You can also locate an ADHD professional by asking people who have ADHD for recommendations or by looking online for 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 want to find someone who has experience with ADHD in adults, and will thoroughly evaluate you. If you do not have any experts who specialize in ADHD you can inquire with your insurance company to see whether they have experts who are certified in ADHD evaluation and treatments.
Once you find an expert, the initial step is to arrange an initial consultation. This will allow the psychologist or psychiatrist to meet with you to determine whether ADHD is the most appropriate diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also perform an entire physical exam that includes hearing and vision tests to make sure that there isn't another health issue causing your problems.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms you experience must be present for at minimum six months and affect your ability to perform in at least two different settings. This includes home, school or work situations. You may be asked to complete an assessment of your behavior to help you determine your signs.
The evaluator will also inquire about your family's history of ADHD and will use a checklist for scoring your symptoms in relation to the DSM-5 criteria. They will also ask questions about your life in the family, school and work to determine whether there is a pattern to your behavior which could indicate ADHD.
In addition, your professional may choose to do brain scans and blood tests as part of the process of evaluation. They will also look for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, sleep disorders, anxiety and learning disabilities.
4. Take a Psychiatric Examination
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is the first step toward finding treatment and reducing symptoms that could be wreaking destruction on your life. Whether you keep losing your keys, find it difficult to focus at work, or your relationships are suffering, an accurate diagnosis is crucial for improving these issues and determining the most effective coping strategies.
Your doctor will need you to be interviewed and asked about your history of ADHD symptoms. They will be interested in knowing your family history, as well as where and how you noticed the symptoms manifest, and they'll need to know how the symptoms have affected your work, home life, social life and overall wellbeing. It is essential to be honest and not hide any information.
The psychiatrist or psychologist who performs your psychiatric evaluation will also go over your medical and psychopathological history. They will also utilize an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms match the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are outlined 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 require additional tests. This could include cognitive testing to rule out intellectual or learning issues that could be causing your problems. You may also need to conduct an examination to rule out conditions like thyroid disorders and seizures which can cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Psychologists who perform psychological testing are trained to a specific level, which allows for thorough assessments for a variety of disorders. They are able to recognize the signs of a variety of disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Take a medical assessment
You will be interviewed by a psychiatrist or mental health professional regarding your symptoms. adhd uk diagnosis of this will vary depending on the practitioner, but it usually lasts at least an hour. During this time, you'll be asked to write down your symptoms and issues in detail. You may also be requested to have your teachers or caregivers complete similar forms.
These questionnaires ask a set of questions that are standardized to increase accuracy and reduce the likelihood that different interviewers would arrive at different conclusions. They will ask about your symptoms both in the present and from childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you exhibit.
Some evaluators might require other tests as well. For example, some will conduct cognitive tests to look for any intellectual or learning impairments that could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They can also test your symptoms for other conditions, such as anxiety and depression. They can also conduct medical tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.
Answering these questions honestly and fully is vital. Although it can be embarrassing to talk about your troubles but it will aid the examiner in determining as much as they can about your issues. They will use this information to identify if your ADHD symptoms are caused by an additional condition or if you have ADHD.
It is not unusual for a psychiatrist to inquire about other people's experiences with your symptoms. They are likely to talk to your partner or spouse, especially when you are an adult. They may also want to talk to your teachers, parents, or daycare providers, if you have children.