Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Many people aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and that can bring up complicated emotions. For Matlen it was a relief that she finally found a cause for her symptoms.
The first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to talk to your family physician. They could refer you to a mental health professional who will evaluate your ADHD symptoms.
1. Talk to your Family Physician
You should schedule an appointment as soon as you can with your family doctor If you think you might be suffering from ADHD, or if you were told by someone else that you might. Your doctor will help you determine if ADHD medications are right for you or if you require a referral to a different specialist. Your doctor can also help locate resources to help you manage your symptoms.
A person should exhibit a variety of symptoms that last throughout adulthood and interfere with their lives in more than one way. Most people are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can also persist into adulthood and many adults are not diagnosed until later in their lives.
It is crucial that you are as specific as you can when describing your symptoms. You should inform your doctor when symptoms began, the length of time they have been present and what type of environment or activities they manifest in. You may need to mention whether the symptoms affect your relationships or your work.
You can also offer your doctor examples of behaviors that you or your child struggle with. This will help your doctor recognize that the problem is not anxiety or depression but rather a more serious issue.
Your doctor is likely to suggest you take a medications to treat ADHD. You should discuss all of the options with your doctor including natural remedies and other kinds of medications that have been proven to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will also likely provide you with directions on how to take your medication and how often you should take it.
2. Talk to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a doctor who has completed both a medical degree and an intensive residency program of four years in the field of psychiatry. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, such as ADHD. They are licensed in Idaho, Illinois Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico and the US territories Guam and Puerto Rico to prescribe medications. They frequently consult with primary care physicians or family physicians in patients who might require psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists can be extremely helpful for adults who are diagnosed with ADHD. They can assist adults who suffer from ADHD understand what is causing their symptoms and how to manage their symptoms. This may include psychotherapy or taking medications like Adderall or Ritalin that boost the brain's levels of dopamine. They can also discuss how to manage work, relationships and other aspects of life with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD tend to have problems with time management, which can cause issues at home and in the workplace. They may miss appointments or deadlines, and may have difficulty keeping on top of important information. People with ADHD have difficulty focusing for long periods, which makes it difficult to start or finish projects. Other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, can interfere with attention and make it harder to focus.
A psychiatrist who is specialized in treating mental disorders can be extremely beneficial, as a psychiatrist is trained to recognize a wide range of conditions that may be associated with ADHD. The emotional sensitivity and impulsivity of ADHD can be very similar to mood disorders and anxiety. If your doctor doesn't have an in-depth understanding of how these disorders interact, you could get an incorrect diagnosis, which can lead to ineffective or even counterproductive treatments.
3. Talk to the Child Psychiatrist
There's a high chance that your family doctor will recommend you to a specialist, such as a child psychiatrist or a psychologist who is trained to work with children. It's essential to find a professional you and your child trust. It may take some research as well as a bit of trial and error before you find the best specialist for your family.
It's important to ask your potential specialists what number of ADHD cases they've handled, and what their treatment plans were. Ask other parents who have children with adhd for suggestions. You can also ask your health insurance company to get a list of specialists in your network.
Your doctor will likely conduct some diagnostic tests, including hearing and vision tests to make sure there's nothing else causing the symptoms of your child or you. They'll then talk with you and your child to get an accurate picture of their behavior. Your doctor is likely to use the American Psychiatric Society's fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to determine if you or if your child is suffering from ADHD. According to the DSM-V, a person has to show at least six of nine inattention and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms before age 12 to be diagnosed with ADHD. They also have to show these symptoms in more than one setting--school, home and work--and cause significant impairment.
Some people who suffer from ADHD do not exhibit any signs of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. For others, the symptoms are mild or moderate. So getting a diagnosis and implementing treatment as quickly as you can aid in managing your or your child's symptoms. top article can help you avoid years of underachieving and family stress.
4. Talk to a pediatrician
The doctor should ask your child about their symptoms, their beginning date, and how they affect home and school. They should also interview your child as well as other people who know them well, such as their teachers, to obtain information on how the symptoms have affected them. They may ask you and your child to complete rating scales, or other tools for evaluating. They should also review any medical records and education reports, and perform an assessment to determine whether there are learning disabilities or other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD.
You should also discuss with them treatment options. This should include a treatment program that includes a prescribed medication diet and exercise program, psychological therapy educational strategies, as well as parent training and education programs. Ask your pediatrician if they're familiar with behavioral therapy as well as other non-medical approaches to managing ADHD. If not then it is crucial to locate a health specialist who is well-versed in these options.
A pediatrician or family doctor with a keen interest in ADHD will diagnose ADHD in children. A child must show at least six of nine symptoms, such as inattention or hyperactivity, when in multiple situations to the extent that they hinder normal functioning. For older teens and adults, clinicians often alter the criteria to diagnose ADHD. They are typically less strict in this regard, since it is not uncommon for symptoms to continue throughout adolescence and into adulthood. They will go over the child's medical history as well as mental illness, and then interview the child, and any other caregivers. They will also collect details about the child's education, social environment and the child's upbringing.
5. Talk to a Child Psychotherapist
With the national discussion about mental health focusing on more and more issues there is a growing interest in the treatment of psychological disorders. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of ailments including ADHD. It's important that you find a child psychologist who is familiar with ADHD and has successfully treated it. You can ask your doctor for a recommendation or search online in directories of psychologists. You should feel at ease with your psychologist and they should be able to address your concerns.
For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These symptoms must be evident for at minimum six consecutive months in two or three different settings. This could include situations at home, in school or socially. ADHD symptoms are distinct from normal behavior, and can cause issues at school, at work and in relationships. They can also cause problems in everyday life. They can lead to academic difficulties, low self-esteem and anger with others. They can also cause friction between parents and children, or spouses and cause stress in the home.
Psychiatrists may prescribe medication. If your child has been treated by a therapist but is still showing signs of ADHD and other symptoms, it might be worth considering having them consult a psychiatrist. The goal is to address the behavioral and emotional issues that are causing them trouble in school, at home and in their relationships with their family and friends. A combination of therapy, training, education for parents, school help, and medication is the most effective approach. Many people associate medication with ADHD. However it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. It is not a panacea for ADHD, and shouldn't be the sole treatment option.