How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will inquire about your symptoms and use a rating system to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis. The ratings are based on a set of guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in children, teens and adults.
The rating scale asks you questions like whether you fidget or how often you are distracted by thoughts that are not related to your current situation. The doctor will also go over old school records and family history.
Self-assessment
The untreated symptoms of ADHD can cause problems at school, at work as well as in relationships. However, diagnosing the disorder isn't easy, particularly for adults. Adults can develop coping mechanisms as they age, making their symptoms less obvious. It is also possible for doctors to differentiate between ADHD symptoms in childhood and the symptoms of adults. Therefore, adults with the condition are often underdiagnosed.
Self-assessment can be a good method to determine if your symptoms are consistent or not related to ADHD. The test involves answering a series questions, and you will receive scores. This tool is easy to use and will help you determine whether you should seek medical care. Self-assessments allow you to track your symptoms over time.
If you are using an online ADHD assessment, be sure to select a reliable source. Find an assessment tool that was designed by a healthcare institution or GP and designed by mental health experts. Being honest in answering the questions is essential. The more honest you are more honest, the more precise the results will be.
There are other methods to diagnose ADHD among adults besides self-assessments. Health professionals can conduct physical examinations or interview-based assessments and look over your medical records. They may also conduct a brain scan, which measures electrical activity in the brain. In some instances, doctors may even recommend medications.
The Symptom Checklist for Adults is one tool that helps determine the signs of ADHD among adults. This tool has a high criterion validity which means it is highly predictive of an ADHD diagnosis. The SCAS is widely used and is recommended by both the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the World Health Organization.
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is another tool. This scale asks questions about hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive. It is simple to use and takes only a few minutes to complete. The ASRS is an adaptation of the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 which is the official manual used by psychiatrists to diagnose mental disorders. It is available on the Web however it's not free.
Diagnosis
If you suspect your child or adult is suffering from ADHD the next step is to seek a diagnosis from a medical professional. Start by contact the customer service department of your health plan to find someone who is an expert in ADHD. They can provide you with names of specialists who are covered by insurance or suggest professional organizations that can provide recommendations. You can also ask your friends and family members for recommendations or look online for a list of specialists.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms to determine if you suffer from ADHD. They usually employ a specific version of a well-known symptom rating scale. These are often geared toward children, but some are designed for adults, too. The doctor will also interview those who know you or your child well, such as spouses, parents, siblings for adults, teachers and coaches for children. This may provide more insight into the behavior of your child or yourself that you might not have been able to articulate.
Your doctor might also ask you about your medical history, and may also conduct a physical examination. This can help them rule out other conditions that may be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like a thyroid problem or seizure disorder. They may also conduct tests for mental health screening for mood and anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
The most important aspect in getting an ADHD diagnosis is a thorough appointment with an expert. The doctor must determine if your child or you meet the criteria as laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Your child or you must manifest symptomatic behaviors in at minimum two settings, including home, school and at work. The behavior must be so severe that it affects the daily activities of. They must also have symptoms that began at or before age 12 and it can't be explained by other disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
A mental health professional or health care provider is the first step to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. ADHD test is essential because other disorders such as depression or anxiety can resemble symptoms of ADHD. Seeing a specialist will help ensure that you are diagnosed correctly and treated appropriately.
The health specialist will review the medical background of the patient as well as their family history to arrive at an assessment. They will also take a look at the person's current behavior and school experiences. Interviews or questionnaires are given to the person's parents or teachers or babysitters. These questionnaires are based on research that examines the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not. These are sometimes called rating scales. Scores are determined by the frequency with which a person displays the various symptoms: impulsiveness and inattention as well as hyperactivity. The number of questions, and the method in which scores are calculated, vary between tests.
Other tests are used to assess the way in which a person learns and thinks. Broad-spectrum scales can be used to identify psychological, emotional, and social issues. They are particularly beneficial for children as it is easy to diagnose someone with ADHD when they actually have a different condition, such as anxiety disorders or mood disorders.
Interviewing the child's teacher is an important part of a thorough evaluation. Talking to the child's doctor or other trusted adults is a good idea. A sleep diary can be extremely useful in identifying ADHD. ADHD symptoms are often exacerbated by poor quality sleep. Making sure you have a regular bedtime, and going to bed at the same time each night can be helpful.
The treatment for adults with ADHD is similar to that for children. In most cases, medications and therapy are utilized together. Therapy can teach life skills, improve communication in the family and help people develop healthier coping strategies. It can also address issues that are a problem for families and marriages when one member has ADHD. These issues include money problems, forgetting to do responsibilities at work or home, and conflicts over impulsive choices.
Medication
The aim of the medication is to aid people with ADHD stay on task and perform better. Some individuals find that stimulantssuch as Ritalin, Adderall or Strattera -- work best for them. Others find that non-stimulant medicines such as clonidine and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) can help.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and your family history before prescribing any medication to you or your child. They may suggest a physical examination to check for any underlying health issues.
Create a list of symptoms you or your child. Bring it to your appointment along with any medical or psychiatric files you may have.
A psychiatric professional will use ratings scales to evaluate your or your child's behavior. These rating scales were developed based on research comparing the behavior of those with ADHD and those without. Your doctor may also request you to rank the frequency you observe your child or yourself exhibit certain symptoms every day. Your doctor will convert your scores into percentiles and then look at the impact of symptoms on your daily life.
If you're an adult, the doctor will likely focus on your professional history and ask you about any alcohol or drug abuse, as well any issues you might have encountered at home or at work. The adult must meet an upper threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 times over the past six months -to qualify for the diagnosis to be made.
Your examiner will likely interview other people who are familiar with you, including your spouse, parents or other relatives as well as teachers or coworkers. They will ask you about the severity and frequency of symptoms that you or your children are experiencing, as well as how they impact your performance at school or work.
Your child or you may be given a specific dose of medication. The dosage can be adjusted as necessary. When you are taking stimulant medications be sure to read the label carefully and take only as directed. It is essential to strictly follow your doctor's instructions when taking stimulants.