Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
It's normal for people to wait until adulthood before being diagnosed with ADHD. This can result in a difficult emotional. Matlen was relieved to finally understand the reason behind her symptoms.
The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to talk with your family doctor. They might refer you to a mental health specialist who can assess your ADHD symptoms.
1. Speak to your family physician
If you suspect that you may have ADHD or if someone has told you that you might be, it is essential to schedule an appointment with your family doctor right away. Your doctor can assist you determine if ADHD medications are right for you or if you need to talk to another specialist. Your doctor can also help locate resources to help you manage your symptoms.
A person must exhibit several symptoms that last into adulthood, and that affect their lives in more than one way. Most people are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can persist into adulthood, and a lot of adults are not diagnosed until later in life.
It is important that you are as specific as you can when you describe your symptoms. You should inform your doctor when symptoms started, how long they have been present and what type of environment or activities they are found in. It is possible to discuss how the symptoms affect your relationships or work.
It is also beneficial to give your doctor examples of the behavior you or your child are struggling with. This will help your doctor to understand that the issue isn't anxiety or depression, but rather a real problem.
Your doctor is likely to suggest you take a medication to treat ADHD. You should discuss all of the possibilities with your doctor, including natural remedies and other types of medicines that have been shown to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor may also give you instructions about how to take your medication and how often you should take it.
2. Speak to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical professional who has earned an medical degree and a four-year residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing and treating mental disorders including ADHD. They are licensed in Idaho, Illinois Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico and the US territories Guam and Puerto Rico to prescribe medications. They consult with family physicians or primary care physicians to treat patients who require psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists are a great resource for adults who are diagnosed with ADHD. They can help adults with ADHD to understand the root of their symptoms and how to manage these symptoms. This may involve therapy or taking medications such as Adderall or Ritalin which increase brain levels of dopamine. They can also discuss managing relationships, work, and other aspects of life with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD tend to have problems with time management, which can create difficulties at home as well as at work. They might miss deadlines and appointments, and have difficulty keeping track of important details. People with ADHD struggle to concentrate for long periods, which can make it difficult to begin or finish projects. Other mental health issues like depression and anxiety, can affect concentration and affect the ability to pay attention.
Seeking a psychiatrist that specializes in the treatment of mental disorders can be very beneficial, as psychiatrists are skilled in recognizing a wide range of conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD. For instance the emotional sensitivity and impulsivity components of ADHD may appear like mood disorders and anxiety. If your doctor does not have a thorough understanding of the interplay between these disorders, you could receive a misdiagnosis which could lead to ineffective or counterproductive treatment.
3. Talk to a Child Psychiatrist
It's likely that your family doctor will refer to a specialist. It could be a child psychologist or child psychiatrist with an area of expertise that is specifically geared towards working with children. It's important to find a professional you and your child can trust. It may take some time as well as a bit of trial and error to locate the right specialist for your family.
Ask your prospective specialist how many ADHD cases they have handled and what treatment plan they employed. Ask other parents with children suffering from adhd for advice. You can also contact your health insurance provider for a list of specialists in your network.
Your doctor will likely run some diagnostic tests, including a vision and hearing check to ensure that there's nothing else that could be causing the symptoms of your child or you. They'll also talk to you and your child to gather the full picture of their behavior. Your doctor will likely use the American Psychiatric Association's fifth edition the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to help determine whether you have 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 must also show these symptoms in a variety settings, including school, home and at work.
Some people with ADHD don't show any symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. And for others the symptoms are mild or moderate. So getting a diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as you can help you manage your or your child's symptoms. A timely diagnosis could save you years of underachieving and family turmoil.
4. Talk to a Pediatrician
The doctor should collect a thorough account of your child's symptoms including when they began and what impact they have on family and school life. They should also interview you and other people who know your child like their teachers in order to get information about the symptoms. They can ask you and your child to complete rating scales, or other evaluation tools. They should also go through all medical records and educational reports, as they perform an evaluation to rule out other conditions out that may share similar symptoms to ADHD.
It is also recommended to discuss with them treatment options. This should include a medication regimen, a diet and exercise program as well as psychological therapy, educational strategies and education or training programs for parents. Ask your pediatrician if they are familiar with behavioral therapy and other non-medical methods to treat ADHD. If they are not then it is essential to seek out a medical specialist who is well-versed in these alternatives.
For children diagnosed with ADHD is usually determined by a pediatrician or a family physician who has a particular interest in the disorder. To be eligible to be identified as having ADHD it is necessary to show at least six of nine symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention and impulsivity in more than one environment to the point that they significantly interfere with normal functioning. For adhd diagnosing and teens who are older, clinicians often alter the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. They tend to be less strict in this regard, since it is not unusual for symptoms to remain throughout the adolescent years and into adulthood. They will review the child's medical history as well as mental illness, and then interview the child, as well as any other caregivers. They will also collect information about the child's education, his social environment, and upbringing.
5. Speak with a Child Psychotherapist
There is an increasing interest in psychotherapy treatment as the national conversation around mental health is expanding to cover more subjects. Psychologists are trained to evaluate and treat a variety of conditions including ADHD. It is essential to choose a child psychologist that is familiar with ADHD and has successfully treated it. You can request a referral from your doctor recommendations or look online in directories of psychologists. Be sure to feel at ease with the psychologist and that they understand 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 present for at minimum six consecutive months in a variety of environments. This could be at home, in the school environment, or in social settings. Symptoms of ADHD differ from normal behavior and can lead to major difficulties at school, at relationships, at work and in daily life. They can lead to problems with academics, low self-esteem and anger with others. They can also create tension between parents and their spouses or children, and create stress at home.
Psychiatrists may prescribe medication. If your child is being treated by a therapist and still exhibits symptoms of ADHD then you might want to consider having them see a psychiatrist. The goal is to address emotional and behavioral issues that are causing issues at home, at school, and in relationships with family and peers. A combination of therapy, training and education for parents, school assistance and medication is the most effective approach. Although many people think of medication as a cure for ADHD however, it can be used for a variety of conditions. It isn't a panacea for ADHD and should never be the only treatment option.