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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD It's typical for people to wait until they reach adulthood before being diagnosed with ADHD. This can lead to complicated emotions. For Matlen it was a feeling of relief that she finally had a reason for her symptoms. The first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis is to talk to your family physician. They may refer you to a mental health professional who will evaluate your ADHD symptoms. 1. Speak to Your Family Physician If you suspect you have ADHD or if someone has told you that you might need help, you should schedule an appointment with your family doctor right away. Your doctor can determine if ADHD medication is appropriate for you, or if a specialist is required. Your doctor can help locate resources that can help alleviate your symptoms. In order for an assessment to be made, a person must be suffering from multiple symptoms that last throughout adulthood and affect their life in more than one way. People often get diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can also persist into adulthood and many adults are not diagnosed until later in their lives. During your appointment It is essential to be as precise as you can about the symptoms. You'll need to inform your doctor how long symptoms have been present for, when they started and what kinds of activities or situations they occur in. You might also have to specify if the symptoms interfere with relationships or work. You can also provide your doctor examples of behavior that you or your child struggles with. This can help your doctor recognize that the issue isn't anxiety or depression but rather a more serious issue. Your doctor may suggest you take a medication to treat your ADHD. You should discuss with your doctor every option that are available, including natural remedies or other kinds of medications that have been proven to be effective at treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor will likely provide you with directions on how to take your medication and the frequency you'll need to take it. 2. Talk to a Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a doctor who has earned a medical degree and a four-year residency program in the field of psychiatry. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treatment of mental disorders, which includes ADHD. They are licensed to prescribe medication in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and the US territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. They consult with family physicians or primary care physicians for patients who need psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are a great resource for adults who are diagnosed with ADHD. They can help people who suffer from ADHD discover the causes of their symptoms and how they can manage these symptoms. This could include psychotherapy or taking medication like Adderall or Ritalin that increase the brain's levels of dopamine. They can also talk about how to manage relationships, work and other aspects of life with ADHD. ADHD can cause problems at work and home. They might miss deadlines and appointments, and have trouble keeping track of important information. People with ADHD are also unable to focus for long periods of time, which makes it difficult to begin or complete tasks. Other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can interfere with attention and make it harder to concentrate. A psychiatrist who is experienced in the treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders could be able to help you. They are trained to recognize a variety of conditions that are co-occurring with ADHD. For example the emotional sensitivity and impulsivity elements of ADHD may appear similar to anxiety and mood disorders. If your doctor does not have a thorough understanding of the ways these disorders interact, you could be given an incorrect diagnosis that can lead to ineffective or even harmful treatments. 3. Talk to an experienced Child Psychiatrist It's likely that your family physician will refer to an expert. This could be a child psychologist or a child psychiatrist who has an area of expertise that is specifically geared towards working with children. It's important to find a professional you and your child can trust. It may take some time as well as a bit of trial and error to find the best specialist for your family. It's important to ask your potential specialists how many ADHD cases they've dealt with, and what their treatment plans were. Ask other parents who have children suffering from adhd for advice. You can also contact your health insurance provider for a list of specialists in your network. Your doctor may run some diagnostic tests, including a vision and hearing check to make sure there's nothing else that could be causing your or your child's symptoms. The doctor will then talk with you and your kid to gather a complete picture of their behavior. Your doctor will likely use the American Psychiatric Society's fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to help determine whether you have or your child has 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 the symptoms in more than one setting, such as school, home and work—and cause significant impairment. Keep in mind that some people who have ADHD do not show signs of inattention or impulsivity at all. For others, the symptoms are mild or moderate. It is crucial to get a diagnosis as soon as possible and begin treatment as soon as you are able to. This will help manage your symptoms or those of your child. Being able to identify the problem early can help you avoid years of underachieving and family turmoil. 4. Talk to a pediatrician The doctor should conduct a thorough history of your child's health issues, beginning with the date they began and what impact they have on family and school life. They should also speak with you and other people who know your child well, such their teachers, to gather information about the symptoms. They could ask you and your child to complete ratings scales or other assessment tools. They should also look over all medical documents and educational reports when they conduct an evaluation to rule other conditions out that may share similar symptoms as ADHD. You should also discuss with them treatment options. This could include a medication regimen, a diet and exercise program psychotherapy educational strategies, and parent training or education programs. Ask your pediatrician if they're familiar with behavioral therapy and other non-medical strategies to manage ADHD. If they are not, then it is important to seek out a medical professional who is knowledgeable about these alternatives. For children diagnosed with ADHD is usually made by a pediatrician or a family physician who has a particular interest in the disorder. To be eligible to be diagnosed with ADHD they must show at least six of the nine symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity in more than one setting to the degree that they are a significant hindrance to normal functioning. For adults and older teens, clinicians often alter the criteria to diagnose ADHD. They are generally less strict about this requirement, since it is not uncommon for symptoms to continue throughout the adolescent years and into adulthood. They will typically review the child's medical and mental history, interview the child and any other caregivers, gather information about the child's education, social environment and upbringing, as well as perform an assessment using ratings scales or other evaluation tools. 5. Talk to a Child Psychologist With the national conversation about mental health and wellbeing focusing on more and more issues there is a growing interest in treatment for psychological issues. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions including ADHD. It's important that you choose a child psychologist that has experience with ADHD and has successfully treated it. You can ask your family doctor for a recommendation or look online or through directories of psychologists. Be sure to feel comfortable with the psychologist and that they are able to understand your concerns. For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They should also display these symptoms consistently for at minimum six months in two or more settings. This could include situations at home, at school or socially. Symptoms of ADHD are different than normal behavior and can lead to major issues at school, at workplace, in relationships and in everyday life. They can cause academic difficulties and low self-confidence, as well as frustration with other people. They can also cause friction between parents and children or spouses and create stress at home. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. If your child has been treated by a therapist but continues to show signs of ADHD and other symptoms, it might be beneficial to consult a psychiatrist. The goal is to address emotional and behavioral issues that are causing issues at home, at school, and in relationships with family and peers. Effective treatment consists of a mix of therapy as well as parent education and training, school assistance and medication. Many people associate medication with ADHD. However, it can also be used to treat a wide range of illnesses. It isn't a panacea for ADHD and should never be the only treatment option.