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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD Many people aren't diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and this can bring up complicated emotions. For Matlen, it meant relief that she finally found a cause for her symptoms. The first step to get an assessment is speaking to your family doctor. They might refer you to an expert in mental health that can evaluate your ADHD symptoms. 1. Talk to your Family Physician It is important to schedule an appointment as soon as you can with your family physician If you think you might be suffering from ADHD, or if you were told by someone else that you might. Your doctor will help you decide whether ADHD medication is appropriate for you or if you'll require a referral to a different specialist. Your doctor can also help you find resources to alleviate your symptoms. To be able to make a diagnosis to be considered, a person has to be suffering from multiple symptoms that last throughout adulthood and affect their lives in more than one area. People often get diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but the disorder can also persist throughout adulthood, and many adults are not diagnosed until later in their lives. It is crucial that you are as specific as you can when explaining your symptoms. You will need tell your doctor when symptoms began, the length of time they've been present, and what activities or environments they occur in. You may also need to specify the possibility of a problem with relationships or work. It is also helpful to provide your doctor with examples of the behavior you or your child is struggling with. This can assist your doctor recognize that the issue isn't depression or anxiety, but rather a real problem. Your doctor might suggest you take a medication to treat your ADHD. You should discuss with your doctor all options, including natural remedies or other forms of medication that have been proven to be effective at treating ADHD symptoms. Your doctor may also give you directions on how to take the medication and when you should take it. 2. Talk to a Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a doctor who has completed both a medical degree and an intensive residency program of four years in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing and treating mental disorders, including ADHD. They are licensed to prescribe medication in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and the US territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. They frequently consult with primary care doctors or family physicians to help patients who require psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD can get help from a psychiatrist. They can help them understand the root of their ADHD symptoms and how to manage them, for example through psychotherapy or taking a variety of medications, including stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin that increase brain levels of neurotransmitter dopamine. They can also discuss managing relationships, work and other aspects of life with ADHD. People who have ADHD tend to have problems with time management, which can create problems at home and in the workplace. They may miss appointments or deadlines, and have trouble keeping on top of important information. People with ADHD also have difficulty focusing for long periods of time, which can make it difficult to begin or complete projects. Other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can affect concentration and make it difficult to focus. A psychiatrist who is skilled in the treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders might be able to assist you. They are trained to recognize various conditions that can coexist with ADHD. The emotional sensitivity and impulsivity that are a part of ADHD can be quite similar to anxiety disorders and mood disorders. If your physician does not have a thorough knowledge of the interaction between these disorders, you could get a wrong diagnosis that could result in an unproductive or even counterproductive treatment. 3. Talk to a Child Psychotherapist It's likely that your family physician will refer to specialists. This could be an child psychologist or child psychiatrist who has an area of expertise that is specifically geared towards working with children. It's crucial to find a professional you and your child can trust. It might take some research as well as a bit of trial and error to find the right specialist for your family. Ask your prospective specialist how many ADHD cases they've dealt with and what treatment plans they used. Ask other parents who have children suffering from adhd for advice. You can also ask your health insurance provider for the list of specialists within your network. Your doctor is likely to run some diagnostic tests including an eye and hearing test to ensure that there is no other issue that is causing the symptoms that you or your child is experiencing. They'll also talk to you and your child to get a complete picture of their behavior. Your doctor will likely consult the American Psychiatric Association's fifth edition the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to determine if you 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 show these symptoms in a variety situations, including school, home and at work. Some people with ADHD do not exhibit any signs of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. For others the symptoms are mild or moderate. Therefore, obtaining a diagnosis and implementing treatment as quickly as possible is important to assist you in managing your child's symptoms. An early diagnosis can save years of stress and underachieving. 4. Talk to a Pediatrician The doctor should ask your child about their symptoms, when they started and how they affect home and school. They should also speak with you and others who know your child, such their teachers, to learn more about the symptoms. They could ask your child and you to complete rating scales or other tools for evaluating. They should also look over any medical records or education reports, as well as perform an assessment to determine whether there are learning disabilities or other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD. You should also discuss with them treatment options. This should include a treatment plan which includes a medication regimen diet and exercise program psychotherapy, education strategies, and educational and training programs for parents. Ask your pediatrician about behavior therapy or other non-medical methods of managing ADHD. If they aren't then it is essential to seek out a medical professional who is knowledgeable about these alternatives. A pediatrician or family physician who is interested in ADHD will be able to diagnose ADHD in children. In order for a child to be considered to have ADHD they must show at least six of the nine symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity in more than one situation in a way that they seriously hinder normal functioning. For adults and older teens, clinicians often alter the criteria to diagnose ADHD. They are generally less strict in this regard as it is not unusual for symptoms to persist throughout adolescence and adulthood. iampsychiatry.com go over the child's medical and psychiatric history, interview the child and any other caregivers, collect information on the social and educational environment, as well as growing up, and conduct an assessment using ratings scales or other evaluation tools. 5. Talk to a Child Psychologist With the national debate about mental health focusing on more and more issues, there is an increased interest in psychological treatment. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat a variety if conditions including ADHD. If you are looking for a child psychologist, it's important to find one who is familiar with the condition and has had experience treating it. You could ask your family physician for a recommendation, or search on the internet or browse directories of psychologists. You should be at ease with your psychologist and they should understand your concerns. For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must demonstrate at least six symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These symptoms must be evident for at minimum six consecutive months in three or more different environments. This could include situations at home, at school or socially. ADHD symptoms are distinct from normal behavior, and can cause issues at work, school, in relationships, and in daily life. They can lead to problems with academics, low self-esteem and anger with other people. They can also cause tension between parents and their spouses or children, and create stress at home. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. If your child is currently being treated by a therapist and still has symptoms of ADHD it is possible to think about bringing them in for a visit with a psychiatrist. The aim is to address the emotional and behavioral issues that are causing issues at home, at school as well as with peers and family members. A combination of therapy, training, education for parents, school support, and medication is the most effective treatment. Many people associate medication with ADHD. However it can be employed to treat a wide range of conditions. It is not a cure-all for ADHD and should not be the only treatment option.