"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
It's typical for people to wait until adulthood before being diagnosed with ADHD. This can cause a variety of emotional issues. Matlen was relieved to finally have a reason for her symptoms.
The first step to get an assessment is speaking with your family doctor. They might refer you to a mental health professional who can assess your ADHD symptoms.
1. Speak to your family physician
You should schedule an appointment as soon as you can with your family doctor should you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD or were told by someone else that you might. Your doctor will help you decide whether ADHD medications are appropriate for you or if you require the assistance of a different specialist. Your doctor can help you locate resources that can ease your symptoms.
A person must exhibit several symptoms that last into adulthood, and that affect their lives in a variety of way. school performance are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can also persist into adulthood, and a lot of adults are not diagnosed until later in life.
It is crucial that you are as specific as you can in describing your symptoms. You should inform your doctor how long symptoms have been present, when they began and what kind of activities or situations they occur in. It is also important to mention whether the symptoms affect your relationships or work.
It is also beneficial to give your doctor examples of the behavior that you or your child are struggling with. This will help them see that the problem is real and not a result of something other than depression or anxiety.
Your doctor may suggest that you take a medication to treat your ADHD. You should discuss all of the options with your doctor including natural remedies and other types of drugs that have been proven to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will likely give you instructions about how to take your medication and how often you need to take it.
2. Speak to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed an medical degree and a four-year residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are experts 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 frequently consult with primary health care doctors or family practitioners to help patients who require psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists are a great resource for adults who are diagnosed with ADHD. They can help them understand what caused their ADHD symptoms and the best ways to manage them, such as through psychotherapy and taking a variety of drugs, including stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin that increase the levels in the brain of the neurotransmitter dopamine. They can also talk about how to manage relationships, work and other aspects of their life with ADHD.
ADHD can lead to issues at home and at work. They may miss deadlines and appointments, and may have trouble keeping track of important details. People with ADHD struggle to concentrate for long periods, which can make it difficult to start or complete projects. Other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can interfere with concentration and affect concentration.
A psychiatrist who is specialized in treating mental disorders is beneficial, as a psychiatrist is skilled in recognizing a wide range of conditions that can be associated with ADHD. The emotional sensitivity and impulsivity of ADHD can be quite similar to mood disorders and anxiety. If your physician does not have a thorough understanding of the relationship between these disorders, you may receive a misdiagnosis which could lead to ineffective or counterproductive treatment.
3. Talk to a Child Psychotherapist
It's likely that your family physician will refer you to an expert. This could be a child psychologist or child psychiatrist with an area of expertise that is specifically geared towards working with kids. It is essential to find a professional you and your child can trust. Finding the right doctor for your family could require some research and trial and error.
Ask your prospective specialist what ADHD cases they've dealt with and what treatment plans they employed. Ask other parents with children suffering from adhd for advice. You can also inquire with your health insurance provider for a list.
Your doctor will likely run some diagnostic tests, including an eye and hearing test to ensure that there's nothing else causing your or your child's symptoms. The doctor will then talk with you and your child to gather a complete picture of their behavior. Your doctor will most likely employ the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-V), to determine if you or your child suffer 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 those symptoms in multiple settings, including school, home and work--and cause significant impairment.
Be aware that some people with ADHD don't experience symptoms of impulsivity or inattention at any time. For others those who have ADHD, the symptoms are mild or moderate. So getting a diagnosis and beginning treatment as soon as you can assist you in managing your child's symptoms. Being able to identify the problem early could save you years of underachieving and family turmoil.
4. Talk to an experienced Pediatrician
The doctor should ask your child about the symptoms, when they started and how they affect their home and school. They should also interview you and other people who know your child like their teachers in order to get information about the symptoms. They could ask you and your child to complete rating scales or other evaluation tools. They should also go through any medical records and educational reports, as well as do an evaluation to determine whether there are learning disabilities or other conditions that share similar symptoms with ADHD.
They should also discuss the treatment options with you. This could include a medication regimen, diet and exercise program as well as psychological therapy educational strategies, and education or training programs for parents. Ask your pediatrician about behavioral therapy or other non-medical methods of managing ADHD. If they are not then it is crucial to locate a health professional who is familiar with these options.
For children who are diagnosed with ADHD is typically made by a pediatrician, or family doctor with a particular interest in the disorder. A child should exhibit at least six of nine symptoms, such as hyperactivity or inattention, when in multiple situations to the point that they disrupt normal functioning. For older teens and adults, clinicians often alter the criteria to diagnose ADHD. They are generally less strict in this regard as it is not unusual for symptoms to remain throughout adolescence and adulthood. They will look over the child's medical history as well as mental health condition, and interview the child, as well as any other caregivers. They will also gather information about the child's education, his social environment, and the child's upbringing.
5. Talk to a Child Psychologist
With the national conversation about mental health focusing on more and more issues, there is an increased interest in psychological treatment. Psychologists are trained to evaluate and treat a variety of ailments including ADHD. It is crucial to locate a child psychologist who has experience with ADHD and has successfully treated it. You could ask your family physician for recommendations or go on the internet or browse directories of psychologists. Be sure that you are comfortable with the psychologist and that they can understand your concerns.
For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They must also exhibit these symptoms consistently for at minimum six months in two or more environments. This can include school, home and social situations. ADHD symptoms are distinct from normal behavior and can cause issues at work, school, in relationships, and in everyday life. They can lead to academic issues, low confidence and frustration with others. They can also create tension between parents and their spouses or children, and can cause stress at home.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. If your child is currently being monitored by a therapist and is still showing signs of ADHD then you might want to think about having them visit a psychiatrist. The aim is to address the emotional and behavioral issues that cause them problems at the classroom, at home and in their relationships with their families and friends. A combination of therapy, education and education for parents, school support and medication is the most effective method of treatment. Many people associate medication with ADHD. However it can also be used to treat a broad variety of ailments. It is not a cure-all for ADHD and should not be the sole treatment option.