How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults don't realize they have ADHD until later in their lives. The first step towards getting a diagnosis is a clinical interview. This usually involves the patient, his family friends, as well as other caregivers.
Find a specialist by asking your primary physician or mental health therapist for recommendations. Find out about their academic and professional degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD, getting an evaluation is a first step towards gaining control over your condition. If you are a daydreamer or often lose your keys or you don't complete tasks at home, then it is crucial to talk with an expert in mental health who is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker could conduct an ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Your family physician may be able to conduct an assessment as well however, many of them have limited knowledge about ADHD in adults. A visit to a specialist skilled in treating adults with ADHD can make all the difference to your treatment's success.
Your doctor will review your medical and mental health records during the assessment process. Your healthcare doctor will ask you standardized questions in order to assess your behavior and determine whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. They will also consider your childhood behavior when they relate 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 revised its criteria for identifying ADHD in adults. Adults require only five symptoms to be diagnosed, while adolescents and children require six. Based on your specific situation, your physician may suggest cognitive, neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests to better know how ADHD affects you.
It's also important to remember that medication is not the only treatment option for adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can also help to manage symptoms. A therapist can assist you manage stress, time management and organization abilities. They can also provide emotional support as you adjust to living with ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
ADHD can persist into adulthood. This is why having a diagnosis can be equally crucial for adults. You'll need to undergo an evaluation to receive a diagnosis. The process may vary depending on the patient, but you can anticipate an extensive interview with a medical professional, a physical examination, and a series of questions or rating systems.
Adults will be evaluated based on how their symptoms impact different areas of their lives, like work and family. They will also look at underlying medical conditions which could be causing symptoms similar to ADHD. These could include thyroid disorders as well as mood disorders or seizures.
You may be asked to provide a detailed history of your symptoms. Since ADHD is a condition that develops in the childhood years, the evaluator will want to know if you had a few months of symptoms before age 12. This might require confirmation from teachers or parents.
It is essential to get the correct diagnosis as untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. It can affect your career and relationships. Additionally, it could cause financial issues and difficulty keeping track of expenses or making payments.
Ask your doctor for a referral or contact a mental health specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals will be able to give you information regarding their training level and experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If they are hesitant or do not provide this information, it's a warning sign. You can also locate an ADHD professional by asking people who have ADHD for recommendations or by searching for professionals on the internet.
3. Request a Consultation
When you are deciding how to get an adhd diagnosis, it's important to choose the right mental health specialist for you. You'll want to seek out a professional who has expertise in ADHD in adults and will take the time to fully evaluate you for the disorder. If you don't know of any specialists who specialize in ADHD you can inquire with your insurance provider to see if they have experts who are certified in ADHD assessment and treatment.
If you have found a professional, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation. This will allow the psychiatrist or psychologist to meet with you and determine if ADHD is the best diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also conduct an entire physical exam, including vision and hearing tests, to ensure that there isn't a health issue that is causing your issues.
Your symptoms must have been present for at least six months and interfere with your ability function in two different settings to be considered ADHD. This includes situations at home, school, the workplace, and in social settings. You might be asked to fill in a behavior rating system to help you identify your symptoms.
The evaluator will also inquire about the history of your family's ADHD and will use a checklist for scoring your symptoms in relation to the DSM-5 criteria. They will also conduct a conversation with you about your family, school and work environment to see if there are any patterns in your conduct that could suggest the presence of ADHD.
Additionally, your physician might also suggest blood work and brain scans as part of the process of evaluation. They will also check other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like sleep disorders and anxiety.
4. Take a Psychiatric Examination
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is the first step towards finding a treatment plan and reducing the symptoms that could be causing destruction on your life. If you're having difficulty getting your focus on work, slipping up your keys, or are having difficulty maintaining relationships, a thorough diagnosis will help you improve these issues.
Your doctor will ask you to be questioned and asked about your past history of ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know your family history, when and where you experienced the symptoms, as well as how they have affected your work and social life. It is essential to be honest and not hide any details.
The psychiatrist or psychologist who conducts your psychiatric examination will also review your medical and mental health history. They will also employ an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms match 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.
In addition to examining your ADHD symptoms the evaluator may want to do some other tests. This could include cognitive tests to rule out intellectual or learning disabilities that may be causing your problems. They'll also want to do physical examinations to rule out illnesses like thyroid disorders and seizures that can sometimes cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological testing have specialized training that prepares for thorough assessments for a wide range of disorders. They are qualified to identify symptoms of a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Perform a medical evaluation
A psychiatrist or a mental health practitioner will speak with you about your symptoms. This can last an hour or longer depending on the specialist. During IamPsychiatry , you will be asked to describe your symptoms and concerns in detail. You may also be required to have your family teachers or caregivers complete similar forms.
These questionnaires are designed to ask an array of questions that are uniform, increasing reliability and reducing the possibility that different interviewers can come up with different answers. They will inquire about your symptoms both in the present and from childhood. They will also review the diagnostic criteria to determine how many ADHD characteristics you meet.
Some evaluators will require other tests in addition. Certain evaluators may also conduct cognitive tests to determine if you have intellectual disabilities which could be the cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also check your symptoms for other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. They can also perform medical tests to rule out any other causes of your symptoms, such as seizures and thyroid disorders.
Answering these questions honestly and fully is essential. Although it is uncomfortable to share your problems it can aid the examiner in determining as much as they can about your struggles. They will analyze this information to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to an additional condition or if you have ADHD.
It is not uncommon for a psychiatrist to ask 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 teachers, parents or daycare providers if they have children.