Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting diagnosed with ADHD isn't always easy initially. It may feel like an arbitrary label but it's actually a reason the reason you struggle with things like following directions, paying attention, and organizing your life.
The first step is to locate an experienced mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Ask your doctors, therapists and trusted friends for recommendations.
Symptoms
ADHD is a disorder that can cause people to have trouble managing their behavior and paying attention. This can lead to issues at home, at school and in workplaces. There are many tests you can take to identify ADHD when you suspect you or your child may have it. A thorough evaluation by an expert medical professional or mental health counselor is necessary to identify and treat the symptoms.
A doctor will evaluate your symptoms or those of your child by using an extensive questionnaire. The doctor will ask how these symptoms have affected your life. The doctor will also go over your medical, family and psychiatric histories.
In some cases your doctor may have to talk to other people who know you well to gain a better understanding of your ADHD symptoms. Your family members or colleagues might have an insight that you aren't aware of. The doctor may request permission to distribute questionnaires to your family and friends to gather the same information they will collect from you.
If you have a lot of trouble maintaining your office and home well-organized, forgetting about appointments, or are constantly losing things like wallets or keys, then you could be suffering from the inattentive kind of ADHD. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to relax or focus on leisure activities. adhd diagnosis for adults are eagerly waiting to be the next person to play or conversations. They may blurt out responses to questions before they have been asked, or begin talking about themselves before they are given the chance to speak.
For people with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, symptoms include being unable to play or do other leisure activities quietly and are constantly moving around. They frequently interrupt others or make them feel uncomfortable. They often get into trouble at school or work because of their poor judgment and quick-acting impulses.
A diagnosis of ADHD, especially in adulthood is a traumatic experience. For many people who receive a diagnosis it means they have had years of suffering from ADHD and didn't realize it was a problem until they were diagnosed. A diagnosis can help people understand and accept themselves better, which can lead them to make positive changes in their lives.
Tests
Being diagnosed as having ADHD requires a thorough and comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional or physician. This may include an extensive interview with the patient, their family members, and their teachers, friends or coaches. There may also be tests such as standardized behavior ratings scales and broad-spectrum assessments that test for psychiatric, emotional and learning disabilities. It is essential that patients be open and honest about their symptoms because the person conducting the interview will be able to determine if their ADHD symptoms impact daily life activities.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, an individual must be afflicted with symptoms lasting at least 6 months and have a clinically significant amount of impairment. The impairment must impact social, occupational, and/or educational performance. According to the DSM when symptoms do not impact these functions, then they are not clinically significant. It is, however, difficult to make this determination without a thorough evaluation.
A thorough ADHD assessment should include a behavioral assessment, which will require the patient to answer questions about their own behavior, as and the behavior of others. It should also include a cognitive test that will evaluate the ability of the brain and performance in school. In addition, it should contain an EEG assessment of brain mapping. It will determine certain brain wave patterns that are associated with different types of behavior.
The T.O.V.A (Test of Variables of Attention and Concentration) test is one of the most commonly used psychological testing tools to detect ADHD in children. The assessor will ask the child to press their micro-switch whenever they are shown an audiotape or a visual. The examiner will then compare the results with other individuals who do not have ADHD. The assessor will look for omissions. These are when a person is unable to activate their switch in the result of a presentation of the target. They will also look for excessive anticipation, which indicates that the patient is imagining their response instead of responding in a conscious manner.
Counseling
Counseling services are often provided to those who have been diagnosed with ADHD to help them manage their symptoms. These services may include cognitive behavioral therapy (which helps people organize their lives, increase their focus and organize their time), and medication. Counseling services can also be used to assist both children and adults develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting. Counselors can assist parents develop strategies for managing stress and establish boundaries with their children.
A health care professional who is evaluating ADHD may require the patient to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The specialist could also speak with someone who is familiar with the patient. For example family members or a close friend could give valuable insight into how the patient behaves at home and in other situations. This is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD who may downplay their symptoms or overlook certain aspects of their behavior.
Health care professionals can also compare a person's symptoms with those of other people with the same age and stage of development. They will look for an indication of symptoms that persists over time and creates difficulties in a variety of settings, such as school or work.
The healthcare professional will record the diagnosis in the patient's records. Those records will also note whether or not the symptoms are accompanied by other mental health conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety. These comorbidities could be exacerbated by untreated ADHD.
A doctor who specializes in adult ADHD can usually be located through an online or local directory. Verify the credentials of the doctor. This includes the training and experience in working with adult ADHD sufferers. The doctor should be willing and able to provide this information upon reasonable request. Some professionals who specialize in ADHD in adults could be certified by an organization like the National Council of Mental Health Practitioners. This certification is not the same as a doctorate in psychology or a master's in counseling, but can still be an indication of the professional's expertise and experience in treating adult ADHD.
Medication
If a psychiatrist suspects that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, he will conduct a thorough interview to understand more about the behavior. You might be asked to complete questionnaires by your spouse, family members or teachers. These questionnaires will help the doctor gain an accurate picture of the patient's issue and the length of time it has been going on. In most instances, blood tests and routine imaging are not used to diagnose ADHD.
The psychiatric doctor will likely suggest medications to treat your symptoms. Stimulants are the most popular drugs used to treat ADHD. They work by increasing and balancing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. ADHD can be treated using other medications, like antidepressants as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, bupropion and atomoxetine. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and are particularly beneficial when you have other medical conditions or certain drugs that interact negatively with stimulants.
It can be a great relief for adults who have been suffering from symptoms their entire lives and have been blamed numerous times. However, it can also be upsetting for many people who believe that their symptoms could be an indication of inattention or a lack of intelligence. When they receive a diagnoses there are some who may be overwhelmed with emotions.
The process of diagnosing adults is more difficult than diagnosing children. The mental health professionals are more focused on children rather than adults.
When evaluating adults who have ADHD, clinicians often focus on the background of the patient, specifically their childhood behavior. They might ask them to bring documents from their schools or other sources about their life at home and at school. They may ask about their symptoms and how they have affected them.
Adults with ADHD must tell their healthcare providers when they're taking other medications, including prescriptions for mood stabilizers, sleep pills, or any other medications that affect the heart. They should also tell them whether they are experiencing other symptoms that could be related to ADHD like anxiety, headaches or depression.