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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis Many adults dont realize they have ADHD until later in life The first step to get an diagnosis is a clinical interview It usually involves the patient his family friends as well as other caregivers Ask your primary medical doctor or mental health professional to recommend a specialist Find out about their professional certification and academic degrees 1 Visit a Psychiatrist If youve been suffering from symptoms of ADHD getting an assessment is the first step towards taking control over your condition If youre a daydreamer at work lose your keys often or simply dont finish projects at home its important to visit an expert in mental health who knows how to treat adult ADHD A psychiatrist or clinical social worker psychologist can diagnose ADHD Your family doctor may be able to perform an assessment too however many of them have no knowledge of ADHD in adults A visit to a specialist familiar with treating adults with ADHD can make a huge difference in the success of your treatment In adhd diagnosis uk adults will review your personal and psychiatric history Your healthcare provider will ask you standardized questions to evaluate your behavior and determine whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD They will also take into consideration your childhood behaviors when they relate to the diagnosis They might also examine your spouse friends and colleagues The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM5 released by the American Psychiatric Association has revised its criteria for identifying ADHD among adults Adults require only five symptoms to meet the criteria while adolescents and children must show six symptoms to be diagnosed Your doctor may recommend cognitive or learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests depending on your particular situation Its important to note too that medication isnt the sole option to treat adult ADHD A combination of changes in lifestyle and psychotherapy can help to manage symptoms as well A therapist can help you learn stress management techniques assist with organization and time management techniques and offer emotional support as you begin to learn to live with your ADHD 2 Schedule for an Evaluation While we often think of ADHD as a childhood condition however it can persist into adulthood A diagnosis is important for adults Youll need to undergo an evaluation in order to get a diagnosis The procedure may differ but expect to undergo a long interview with a medical professional and a physical exam and a series of questions or rating systems For adults evaluators will look at how your symptoms impact different areas of life such as work and family Theyll also look into whether you have any underlying medical issues that could be contributing to the symptoms of ADHD This could include thyroid issues mood disorder or seizures You might be asked to provide an extensive account of your symptoms Because ADHD develops during the early years of childhood the examiner will be looking to determine whether you experienced some months of symptoms before age 12 This could require confirmation from teachers or parents It is important to get the correct diagnosis as untreated ADHD can cause serious problems It can impact your job relationships and selfesteem In addition it can cause financial issues and difficulty keeping track of bills or making payments To find the right assessor for your needs Ask your doctor for a referral or consult an expert in mental health that specializes in adult ADHD Most professionals are willing to give information about their education and experience in working with adults with ADHD If theyre reluctant or unwilling to share this information its an indication of a problem You can also locate an ADHD professional by asking people who have ADHD for recommendations or by looking online for professionals 3 Request a Consultation Its crucial that you choose the right mental health professional to identify you as having adhd Youll need to find a doctor who has experience with ADHD in adults and who can thoroughly evaluate you If you dont know any professionals who specialize in ADHD you can check with your insurance company to see whether they have specialists who are certified in ADHD assessment and treatment When youve found an expert the first step is to arrange an initial appointment The psychiatrist or psychologist will meet with you to determine whether ADHD is a good diagnosis for your symptoms They will also conduct a full checkup including vision and hearing tests to ensure that a different health issue isnt causing your issues Your symptoms must have been present at least 6 months ago and interfere with your ability function in two different settings to be diagnosed as ADHD This is the case at home school the workplace and in social environments You might be asked to fill in an assessment of your behavior to help you identify your behavior patterns The evaluator might also inquire about the family history of ADHD and will utilize a checklist to score your symptoms in relation to the DSM5 criteria They will also ask you questions about your school family life and will determine if there is a pattern in your behavior which could indicate ADHD Your doctor may also decide to conduct brain scans and blood tests in the course of the evaluation They will also test for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms such as sleep disorders and anxiety 4 Take a Psychiatric Examination Finding an ADHD diagnosis is the first step towards finding a treatment plan and reducing the symptoms that could be wreaking havoc on your life If you are constantly losing your keys find it difficult to concentrate at work or your relationships are suffering an accurate diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and finding the best coping strategies Your doctor will need you to be questioned and asked about your past history of ADHD symptoms Theyll want to know about your family history the reasons for your symptoms and where you noticed the symptoms and how theyve affected your work and social life It is essential to be honest and never hide any details The psychiatrist or psychologist who performs your psychiatric evaluation will also look over your medical and psychopathological history They will also use a thorough checklist to look at your symptoms and determine if they satisfy the criteria for ADHD These criteria are described in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM51 In addition to examining your ADHD symptoms the evaluator may require additional tests This could include cognitive tests to rule out intellectual or learning disabilities that may be causing your problems Theyll also want to do a physical exam to rule out illnesses like seizures and thyroid disorders that can sometimes cause similar symptoms to ADHD Psychologists who conduct psychological testing are trained to assess various disorders They are able to recognize the signs of a variety of disorders including depression and anxiety bipolar disorder Schizophrenia and other mental health issues 5 Complete a Medical Evaluation A psychiatrist or mental health provider will speak with you about your concerns It could last for one hour or more depending on the doctor During this time you will be asked to describe your symptoms and concerns in detail You may be asked to fill out similar forms by your parents or educators These questionnaires are composed of questions that are standardized to increase reliability and reduce the possibility that different interviewers will arrive at different conclusions They will ask you about your symptoms both now and since your childhood They will also go over the diagnostic criteria to determine the number of ADHD characteristics you meet Some evaluators might also want to perform additional tests Some evaluators will also run cognitive tests in order to determine if you have intellectual disabilities which could be causing ADHD symptoms They may also test for other conditions that could be causing your symptoms such as depression or anxiety They may also do medical exams to rule out other causes for your symptoms like thyroid disorders or seizure disorders It is important to answer these questions completely and honestly Although it is uncomfortable to share your problems but it will help the evaluator find out as much as possible about your difficulties They will analyze this information to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are due to an additional condition or if you have ADHD It is not uncommon for a psychiatric evaluator to inquire about other peoples experiences with your symptoms They often request to speak with your spouse or partner especially if they are adults They might also want to speak with your childrens teachers parents or daycare providers