How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis
Many adults don't realize they have ADHD until later in their lives. The first step to receiving a diagnosis is a medical interview. It usually involves the patient, their family and friends, and other caregivers.
Find a specialist by asking your primary care physician or mental health therapist for suggestions. Find out about their professional certifications and academic degrees.
1. Visit a Psychiatrist
If you've been experiencing symptoms of ADHD seeking a professional assessment is the first step to taking control of your condition. If you are a daydreamer and frequently lose your keys, or never complete projects at home, it is crucial to talk with an expert in mental health who is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.
A psychiatrist, clinical social worker or psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family doctor can also perform an assessment, but many have limited knowledge of ADHD in adults. Seeing a specialist skilled in treating adults with ADHD can make all the difference in your treatment success.
Your doctor will review your medical and psychiatric histories during the evaluation process. Your healthcare doctor will ask you standardized questions in order to assess your behavior and determine if you have symptoms of ADHD. They will also consider your childhood behavior in the event that they are relevant to the diagnosis. They may also ask to inquire about your significant other, friends and colleagues.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, has updated its criteria for diagnosing ADHD among adults. Adults require only five symptoms to be diagnosed, while children and adolescents require six. Your physician may suggest cognitive or learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests based on your particular situation.
It's important to keep in mind, too, that medication isn't the only option for treating adult ADHD. A combination of changes in lifestyle and psychotherapy can help to manage symptoms too. Therapists can assist you manage stress, time management and organizational abilities. They can also provide emotional support as you learn to live with ADHD.
2. Schedule an Evaluation
While we often think of ADHD as a childhood condition but it can be a recurring issue throughout adulthood. It is essential to have a diagnosis for adults. You'll need to undergo an evaluation to receive a diagnosis. The procedure can differ however, you can expect to go through an extensive interview with an expert in medicine, a physical examination, and a series of questionnaires or rating systems.
Adults will be evaluated based on how their symptoms impact different areas of their lives, like work and family. They'll also determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your ADHD-like symptoms. These include thyroid disorders as well as mood disorders or seizures.
In the course of your evaluation you may be asked to provide a history of your symptoms as far as you can. The examiner may require an account of your symptoms as long as they can, as ADHD is a child-related disorder. This might require confirmation from parents or teachers.
It is crucial to receive the correct diagnosis since untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. It can impact your career, relationships and self-esteem. It can also create financial problems and difficulty paying bills or keeping track of them.
To determine the most suitable evaluator for you consult your physician for a referral or contact a mental health professional specializing in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals will be able to share information about their level of training and their experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're reluctant or unwilling to share this information, it's a red flag. You can also find an ADHD professional by asking other people with ADHD for recommendations or searching online for professionals.
3. Schedule a Consultation
It is crucial to select the right mental health expert to diagnose you with adhd. You should find a doctor who has expertise in ADHD in adults and will take the time to completely assess you for the condition. If you do not know any professionals who specialize in ADHD you can check with your insurance company to determine if they have experts who are certified in ADHD evaluation and treatments.
The first step is to set up a meeting with the professional you have chosen. The psychiatrist or psychologist will meet with you to determine if ADHD is a good diagnosis for your symptoms. They will also perform an entire physical exam, including vision and hearing tests, to ensure that there isn't a health issue causing your problems.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms must have been present for at least six months and must interfere with your ability to function in at least two different settings. This includes school, home, work, and social situations. You may also be asked to complete a scale of behavior rating to help you identify your particular behavior patterns.
The evaluator may also inquire about your family's history of ADHD and may use an assessment checklist to evaluate your symptoms against the DSM-5 criteria. They will also ask you questions about your family, education and work routine to see if there are any patterns in your behavior that could suggest the presence of ADHD.
In addition, your professional might also suggest blood work and brain scans as part of the evaluation process. They may also look into other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like anxiety disorders and sleep disorders.
4. Perform a Psychiatric Examination
The first step towards resolving symptoms and obtaining treatment is to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. If you're having difficulty working with focus, losing your keys, or are having difficulties maintaining relationships, a thorough diagnosis will help you improve these issues.
Your doctor will need to interview you and inquire about your experience with ADHD symptoms. They'll be interested in knowing your family history, where and when you noticed that symptoms manifest, and they'll need to know how the symptoms have affected your work, home life, social life, and overall wellbeing. It is crucial to be honest and open.
The psychiatrist or psychologist who conducts your psychiatric examination will also look over your medical and mental health history. They will also use a detailed checklist to assess your symptoms and determine whether they satisfy the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are laid out by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition.
Your evaluator could also decide to conduct other tests in addition to evaluating your ADHD symptoms. This could include cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or mental disabilities that might be causing you issues. You may also need to conduct an examination to rule out illnesses like thyroid disorders and seizures that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Psychologists who conduct psychological testing have specialized training that prepares them to conduct thorough tests for a wide variety of disorders. They're able to spot the signs of many disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
5. Complete a Medical Examination
A psychiatrist or a mental health professional will speak with you about your concerns. The length of this will differ depending on the physician, but it usually lasts an hour or more. During this time, you will describe your problems in detail and answer questions about your symptoms. You might be required to fill out similar forms by your caregivers or teachers.
These questionnaires are composed of questions that are standardized to increase reliability and decrease the chance that different interviewers could arrive at different conclusions. They will inquire about your symptoms both in the present and from your childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria to determine the amount of ADHD characteristics you have.
Certain evaluators may require other tests as well. For example, some will run cognitive tests to look for learning or intellectual disabilities that could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They will also screen for other ailments that could be causing your symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. They may also conduct medical exams to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizure disorders.
It is important that you answer these questions completely and honestly. Although it can be embarrassing to discuss your struggles, it will aid the evaluator in finding out as much as possible about your difficulties. This information will be used to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to another condition or if they are ADHD.
It is not uncommon for a psychiatric examiner to inquire from other people about your symptoms. They are likely to talk to your partner or spouse, particularly when you are an adult. They might also want to speak with your children's teachers, parents, or daycare providers.