Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Many people don't find out they are diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and that can cause a lot of emotional turmoil. Matlen was glad to finally have a reason for her symptoms.
Speak to your family doctor is the first step to finding out if you have a diagnosis. They may refer you to a mental health specialist who can assess your ADHD symptoms.
1. Talk to Your Family Doctor
If you suspect you have ADHD or if someone else has said that you may, it is important to book an appointment with your family physician right away. Your doctor can determine if ADHD medication is right for you, or if a specialist is needed. Your doctor can help you find resources that will alleviate your symptoms.
A person has to show several symptoms that persist throughout adulthood and interfere with their lives in more than one way. Most people are diagnosed with ADHD in their early years, but the disorder can last throughout adulthood, and many adults are not diagnosed until later in their lives.
During your appointment, it is important to be as specific as possible about your symptoms. You will need tell your doctor when symptoms began, the length of time they've been present, and what kind of activities or settings they occur in. It is also important to mention if the symptoms interfere with relationships or work.
It is also helpful to provide your doctor with examples of the behavior that you or your child are struggling with. This will help your doctor understand that the issue isn't depression or anxiety, but rather a real issue.
Your doctor will likely suggest that you take medication to treat ADHD. You should discuss with your doctor all options that are available, including natural remedies or other kinds of medications that have been proven effective at treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will likely give you instructions regarding how to take the medication and how often you should take it.
2. Speak to a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed the requirements for a medical degree as well as 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 frequently consult with primary health care doctors or family physicians for patients who may need psychotherapy.
Adults with ADHD may get help from psychiatrists. They can assist adults who suffer from ADHD to understand the root of their symptoms and how to manage them. This could include therapy or taking medications such as Adderall or Ritalin that increase the brain's levels of dopamine. They can also talk about managing relationships, work and other aspects of life with ADHD.
People with ADHD usually struggle with time management issues, which can create difficulties at home as well as at work. They might miss deadlines and appointments, and have trouble keeping track of important details. People suffering from ADHD struggle to concentrate for long periods of time, which can make it difficult to begin or complete tasks. Other mental health problems like depression and anxiety, can affect concentration and interfere with the ability to pay attention.
Seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of mental disorders can be extremely beneficial, since psychiatrists are trained to recognize a wide variety of disorders that could be associated with ADHD. For example the emotional sensitivity and impulsivity components of ADHD can appear similar to anxiety and mood disorders. If your clinician doesn't have a full understanding of the interplay between these disorders, you may receive a misdiagnosis which could lead to ineffective or counterproductive treatment.
3. Talk to a Child Psychotherapist
There's a good chance your family doctor will refer you to a specialist, whether a child psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in working with children. It is essential to find a doctor that you and your child trust. It might take some research as well as a bit of trial and error before you find the right specialist for your family.
It is crucial to ask your potential specialists how many ADHD cases they've handled, and what their treatment plans were. You can also ask other parents of children who suffer from adhd for recommendations. You can also contact your health insurance company for the list of specialists within your network.
Your doctor may perform some diagnostic tests, such as a hearing and vision check to ensure that there's no other issue that is causing the symptoms that you or your child is experiencing. sell 'll then speak to you and your child to obtain a complete picture of their behavior. Your doctor will 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 have 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 exhibit these symptoms in more than one setting, such as school, home and work--and cause significant impairment.
Some people with ADHD do not exhibit any signs of inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity. Some may experience only mild or moderate symptoms. It is essential to obtain a diagnosis as quickly as possible and begin treatment immediately. This will help you manage your symptoms or those of your child. Being able to identify the problem early can help you avoid years of underachieving and family stress.
4. Talk to a Pediatrician
The doctor should inquire with your child about the symptoms, the time they began and how they affect home and school. They should also interview your child and others who are familiar with them including their teachers, to get details about how the symptoms have affected them. They may ask you and your child to fill out rating scales or other evaluation tools. They should also review all medical records and educational reports, during an evaluation to rule out other illnesses that may have similar symptoms as ADHD.
You should also discuss with them treatment options. This should include a medication regimen, diet and exercise program, psychological therapy, educational strategies and education or training programs for parents. Ask your pediatrician if he or she is familiar with behavioral therapy as well as other non-medical methods to treat ADHD. If they're not then it is essential to seek out a medical professional who is knowledgeable about these alternatives.
A family doctor or pediatrician who is interested in ADHD will diagnose ADHD in children. A child must exhibit at least six of nine symptoms, including hyperactivity or inattention in more than one situation in a way that they interfere with normal functioning. For adults and teens who are older doctors often alter the criteria to diagnose ADHD. They are typically less strict with this requirement as it is not unusual for symptoms to remain throughout adolescence and adulthood. They typically go over the child's medical and mental history, interview the child and other caregivers, collect information on education, social environment and growing up, and perform an assessment using ratings scales or other evaluation tools.
5. Speak to a Child Psychotherapist
There is an increasing interest in psychological treatment as the national conversation around mental health expands to include more topics. Psychologists are trained to evaluate and treating a variety of conditions that include ADHD. When looking for a child psychologist, it's important to find one who is knowledgeable about the condition and has had experience treating it. You can ask your doctor for a recommendation, or search on the internet or 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. They must also show these symptoms consistently for at minimum six months in two or more environments. This could be at home, in the school environment, or in social settings. Symptoms of ADHD are different than normal behavior, and can cause major issues at school, at work, in relationships and in everyday life. They can lead to academic problems as well as low confidence and anger with others. They can also cause conflict between parents and children, or spouses and cause stress at home.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. If your child is currently being monitored by a therapist and still exhibits symptoms of ADHD then you might want to consider having them see a psychiatrist. The objective is to address emotional and behavioral issues that are causing problems at school, home as well as with friends and family members. Effective treatment involves a combination of therapy, parent education and training, assistance at school and medication. Many people associate medication with ADHD. However it can be employed to treat a wide range of conditions. It is not a panacea for ADHD and shouldn't be the only treatment option.