Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Many people don't know they have ADHD until they reach adulthood. The process of diagnosing ADHD can be difficult. It could involve asking questions about childhood behavior and going through a psychological evaluation.
To make a diagnosis, the mental health professional will examine a person's present symptoms and their history, including past illnesses and relationships. The clinician will also interview parents and teachers, and ask the person to rate their symptoms on a scale.
Diagnosis
You'll need to talk to a health professional who is an expert in ADHD to get an diagnosis. You can find one through your health insurance, by asking for a referral from a doctor or counselor, or by calling an organization such as Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
The first step is to have a thorough interview with your doctor. You may also be asked to complete a behavior rating scale or the symptom checklist. Additionally, psychological tests can help determine if your symptoms are connected to ADHD. Some doctors use brain imaging to assess the brain's activity.
Your doctor will need to be aware that you have ADHD symptoms for atleast six months. You should also be experiencing symptoms in multiple environments, like at work and at home. You or your child must have symptomatic behavior in childhood, usually before age 12, to be diagnosed with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can trigger complicated emotions. For example, some people feel relief since they now have a clear explanation for the reason why their lives are so difficult. Some people might regret missing opportunities or relationship issues that they believe could have been avoided if they received treatment earlier for their ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can help you get rid of these feelings. They can teach you how to manage symptoms and teach strategies to help you focus, stay organized and follow through with commitments. A mental health therapist may recommend a combination treatment that includes psychotherapy and medication, in addition to lifestyle changes.
Stress and certain medical conditions can lead to issues with attention. ADHD is often associated with other disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety. Those with depression or anxiety are often unable to concentrate and can neglect simple tasks like paying bills or keeping appointments. Your doctor is likely to conduct urine or blood tests to rule out any other medical conditions.
Medication
Many children and teens with ADHD get better control of their symptoms by taking medications. Multiple types of medications are available and can be used for different individuals. It can take a while to find the one that is right for you and the most effective dosage for you or your child.
Talk to your family doctor if you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. Psychologists and psychiatrists who specialize in mental illnesses are trained to detect ADHD. You can learn more about finding these specialists on the National Institute of Mental Health website.
When trying to determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD or other disorders, the doctor will conduct clinical interviews and scales for assessing behavior or checklists of symptoms to determine whether the person meets the diagnostic criteria. The health care provider will also inquire about the patient's mood, current and previous medical conditions, and medical background. The health care professional may also request to speak with the person's parents or partner or close friends, as well as coworkers and colleagues. The aim is to discover more about the person's problems at school, at work or in relationships. The health care provider might also be interested in examining any previous psychological or medical tests or imaging studies.
Stimulants are the most commonly used drugs used to treat ADHD in both adults and children. They can help improve concentration and impulse control. They can decrease depression, anxiety, and other signs of ADHD. They can also cause side effects, such as stomach upset and rapid heart rate. Sleep issues, weight loss and changes in appetite can also be caused by these drugs.
These include atomoxetine (ATOMOXETINE) as well as bupropion (BRUPPROPION) and dextroamphetamine (DEXAMPHETAMIN). These include atomoxetine and bupropion and dextroamphetamine. Health care providers may try different dosages or types of medications to determine the most appropriate one for an adult suffering from ADHD.
Treatment for ADHD is most effective when it's a team effort. Your child or you must work with teachers and school staff to encourage positive reinforcement, remain in close communication and be flexible and patient. A support group for adults suffering from ADHD is also beneficial. Counseling, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you learn new strategies and skills to help manage symptoms of ADHD.
Counseling
Psychotherapy is as effective as medication in treating ADHD symptoms in adults. People suffering from ADHD frequently struggle in balancing their lives as they age, and existing coping mechanisms may be inadequate to handle new and increased demands. This is particularly relevant during major transitions between adolescence and adulthood, such as college or a job shift, when people who suffer from ADHD are usually required to handle more complicated tasks that require executive function and self-regulation, which they may not be neurobiologically capable of.
Through psychotherapy, people learn to be aware of how their thoughts and feelings influence their behavior. They also use self-management strategies like mindfulness meditation and relaxation exercises to reduce anxiety and improve attention control. They also practice coping strategies, such as time-management and organizational strategies, to manage responsibilities and schoolwork and interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that people with ADHD choose a therapist that they can trust, who understands them and spends time getting to know them. The therapist will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and may request permission to speak with family members, friends and coworkers to gain a better understanding of how the person's ADHD affects their daily life and their relationship with others.
A therapist may also suggest a treatment plan that includes an amalgamation of medication and counseling. The goals of a program of treatment depend on the needs of the individual and may include improving academic and work performance as well as improving communication at home and at work, or increasing independence. For those who are struggling to cope with the emotional effects of their illness, counseling might include working through the traumas and losses.
Many kids and teens have been successfully treated with medications on their own, but it's important for parents to participate in therapy sessions as well. In therapy mental health professionals are able to help parents learn how to interact with their child or teenager in a way that will help manage the core ADHD symptoms. They can also teach parents stress management techniques and offer support groups to parents of children with ADHD.
Support
There are a myriad of ways to support individuals and families with ADHD. The most important thing to do is seek advice from a medical professional and get help from a health professional. There are a myriad of options for treatment that include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), individual and family counseling (Life Coaching), nutritional supplements, and physical therapies such as massage or yoga. There are also many websites and books with tips on how to cope with ADHD.
Parents may require specialized help to deal with the angers, frustrations and blames that children suffering from ADHD can generate. Mental health professionals can assist parents about the condition and assist them to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with their children. For school-age children, this can include teaching them how to cope with their issues in the classroom and establishing clear rules and expectations for behavior. Siblings may benefit from specialized support as well. adult adhd diagnoses feel unimportant when their brothers or sisters are the focus of their parent's attention. This can result in resentment and jealousy. These negative feelings can be reduced by informing siblings about ADHD and teaching them how to deal with their own behavior.
Teachers, family members, friends, and school staff can all provide assistance and support to people diagnosed with ADHD. Symptoms of the disorder can cause disruptive behavior in class or at work, and they can affect social interactions. People who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to maintain healthy sleep habits, and this can contribute to problems with concentration and memory. ADHD sufferers are more likely to suffer from other health conditions like depression or anxiety disorder, which must be treated as well.
There are a variety of local and national organizations that provide support groups in person for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups, such as CHADD and ADDitude, offer advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for people with ADHD and their families. Some of these organizations have a list of health professionals who specialize in treating the disorder. There are many online support groups like the ones run by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.