How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
To determine an ADHD diagnosis your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and use a rating scale. The ratings are based on a set of guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in teenagers, children and adults.
The rating scale asks questions like whether you fidget, and how often you are distracted by thoughts that are not related to your current situation. The doctor will also go over the old school records as well as your family history.
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The untreated symptoms of ADHD can cause problems at school, work as well as in relationships. It is often difficult to identify the disorder, particularly for adults. Adults can develop coping mechanisms over time, making their symptoms less obvious. It can also be difficult for doctors to distinguish between ADHD symptoms in the early years and those of adults. As a result, adults with the condition are often misdiagnosed.
Self-assessment tests can be a great way to determine if your symptoms are consistent or not with ADHD. The test asks you to answer a set of questions and gives you scores. The test is simple to use and will help you determine if you should seek medical attention. Self-assessments help you monitor your symptoms over time.
When using an online ADHD assessment, be certain to use a reputable source. Find a tool that is designed by a healthcare institution or GP and developed by mental health experts. It is essential to answer the questions honestly. The more honest you are, the more accurate the results will be.
There are many other methods to identify ADHD for adults, other than self-assessments. Health professionals can utilize interview-based assessments or conduct physical examinations and review your medical history. They can also conduct a brain scan, which analyzes the electrical activity of the brain. In some cases, doctors might even recommend treatment.
The Symptom Checklist for Adults (SCAS) is one of the tools that helps identify indications of ADHD in adults. It is highly valid, which means that it is a strong predictor of an ADHD diagnosis. The SCAS is extensively used and recommended by both the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the World Health Organization.
Another tool is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). This scale contains questions about hyperactivity, inattention, and the tendency to be impulsive. It is simple to use and takes only some time to complete. The ASRS is built on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5, the official manual that psychiatrists use to diagnose mental disorders. It is accessible on the Web, though it is not free.
Diagnosis
If you suspect your child or adult is suffering from ADHD, the next step is to seek an evaluation from a medical specialist. You should seek out a doctor who specializes in ADHD and it could be beneficial to start by contacting the customer service department. You can request the names of specialists covered under your insurance plan, or professional organizations that can recommend you. You can also ask your friends and family members for recommendations, or look online for lists of specialists.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms in order to diagnose ADHD. They typically use a specific version of a popular symptom-rating scale. Some are specifically designed for children and others are designed toward adults. The doctor may also interview those who know you or your child well -- spouses, parents and siblings for adults, teachers and coaches for children. This may provide more information about the behavior of your child or yourself that you might not have been able to express.
Your doctor will also ask about your medical history and may perform a physical exam. This can aid in determining other conditions that might be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. They may also perform mental health screenings, like for anxiety and mood disorders, or learning disabilities.
The most important thing you can do when receiving an ADHD diagnosis is to undergo an interview with a psychiatrist. The doctor must determine that your child or you meet the criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Your child or you must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two different settings such as school, home, and work. The behavior should be so debilitating that it interferes with everyday functioning. The symptomatic behavior has to be present prior to 12 years of age and cannot be explained by other condition, like anxiety or depression.
Treatment
The first step to receive a diagnosis of ADHD is to visit a health care provider or mental health professional. This is essential because the symptoms of ADHD can be mimicked by other conditions such as depression or anxiety. A specialist can assist you to identify the problem and provide an effective treatment.
The health care professional will look at the medical history of the patient and their family history to make a diagnosis. They will also examine the person's behavior and their school experiences. This may include interviews or questionnaires with the person's teachers, parents or babysitters. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not. These are sometimes called rating scales. The scores are determined by the frequency at which the person displays the three signs of an impulsiveness (impulsiveness) and inattention (inattention), and hyperactivity. The number of questions asked and the method by which scores are calculated differs between different tests.
Other tests, such as educational and cognitive assessments are administered to assess the way a person thinks and learns. Broad-spectrum scales can be used to identify social, emotional, and psychiatric problems as well. These are especially helpful in children as it is common to get someone wrongly diagnosed with ADHD when they actually have another condition such as mood disorders, anxiety, or learning disabilities.
A thorough evaluation of a child who is suspected to have ADHD includes interviewing their teacher. Talking to the child's pediatrician or other trusted adults is a good idea. A sleep diary can be very helpful in diagnosing ADHD. Poor quality sleep makes the symptoms of ADHD worse. It is helpful to get a regular sleep time.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is much the same as for children. Most of the time it's a mix of medication and therapy. Therapy can teach life skills, improve communication between families and assist people in learning better strategies for coping. Therapy can also aid in addressing issues that arise when a family member has ADHD. These issues can be money issues, forgetting to take care of responsibilities at home or work, and conflicts over impulsive decisions.
Medication
The aim of the medication is to help those with ADHD stay on task and perform better. Some people find that stimulantslike Ritalin, Adderall or Strattera are the best for them. Some people discover that non-stimulant drugs like clonidine or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), help.
Before giving your child or yourself any medication, your doctor will want to know about your symptoms, and about your family history and personal history. They may also recommend physical examinations to look for any underlying health issues.
Create a list with symptoms you or your child. Bring this list to your appointment appointment together with any medical or mental health records you might have.
A psychiatrist will use rating scales to evaluate the behavior of your child or yourself. These scales of rating were created in the context of research that compared the behaviors of people with ADHD and those without it. Your doctor might ask you how often you notice your child or yourself showing certain symptoms daily. Your doctor will translate your scores into percentiles and then look at the effects of the symptoms on your life.
If you're an adult, the person who examines you will likely examine your professional history and inquire about any drug or alcohol abuse, and any issues you may have had at home or at work. The adult must meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children - 5 out of 9 over the last six monthsto qualify for a diagnosis.
Your examiner could interview people who know you well, such as your parents or spouse, or teachers or coworkers. They will ask you about the severity and frequency of the symptoms that you or your children are experiencing, as well as how they impact their performance at school or work.
Your child or you may be prescribed a specific dose of medication. The dosage will be adjusted as necessary. If you are taking stimulant medication, always be sure to read the label thoroughly and take only according to the directions. It is important to strictly follow the instructions of your doctor when you are taking stimulants.