Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Many people don't realize they have ADHD until adulthood. The diagnosis can be difficult. It could involve asking questions about childhood behavior as well as taking a psychological test.
To make a diagnosis, a mental health provider will assess a person's current symptoms and their history--including prior illnesses and relationships. The doctor will also talk to teachers and parents, and ask the person to rate his or her symptoms on a rating scale.
Diagnosis
You will need to consult 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 will be to conduct a thorough interview with your health care professional. You might be asked to complete a symptom checklist or a behavior rating system. Psychological tests can aid in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD. Some doctors also use brain imaging to measure activity in your brain.
Your doctor will need to be aware of your ADHD symptoms for atleast six months. You should also have symptoms in more than one setting including at home and at work. You or your child must have symptomatic behavior in childhood, usually before age 12, to be diagnosed with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can trigger complex emotions. Some people feel relieved that they now have a reason behind their life's challenges. Some people may regret missed opportunities or issues with relationships that they feel could have been avoided if they received treatment earlier for their ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can help deal with these issues. They can help you learn to manage your symptoms and teach strategies that will help you focus, stay organized and stick to your commitments. Often, a mental health counselor will suggest an array of treatments such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
There are a myriad of things that can cause attention problems like stress and medical conditions. Those with ADHD often have other disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Those with depression or anxiety are often unable to concentrate, and some even forget to do basic tasks like paying bills or keeping appointments. Your doctor can look for other ailments and may recommend blood or urine tests to confirm any medical problems.
Medication
Many teens and children with ADHD have better control over their symptoms by taking medications. adult diagnosis of adhd of medication are available and work differently for different individuals. It may take some time to determine the best one 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. Health care providers who specialize in mental illness, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, are also trained to recognize ADHD. You can find more information on finding these specialists on the National Institute of Mental Health website.
When looking to determine if someone has ADHD, the health care provider will conduct interviews with the patient and behavior rating scales as well as symptom checklists to find out whether the person is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria. The health care provider will also inquire about the patient's mood, their current and previous medical conditions, as well as their medical background. The health professional might also ask the person to speak with their parents, partners, colleagues and close family members. The aim is to discover more about the person's issues at school, at work or in relationships. The health care provider may also want to review any previous medical, psychological or imaging studies.
The most frequently used medication to treat ADHD is stimulants. This includes children and adults. They can help improve concentration and impulse control. They can help reduce anxiety and depression, which frequently occur in ADHD. The side effects can include stomach upset and rapid pulse rate. They can also cause weight loss, changes in appetite, and sleep problems.
If stimulants do not help or cause adverse side effects, health care professionals may prescribe non-stimulant drugs that affect chemical brain messengers. These include atomoxetine, bupropion and dextroamphetamine. Health care providers may try different dosages or types of medications to determine the right one for a person suffering from ADHD.
Treatment for ADHD is most effective when it's a collaborative effort. Your child or you should work with teachers and school staff to promote positive reinforcement, stay in close contact and be flexible and patient. A support group for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. Counseling, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can teach new strategies and skills to help manage symptoms of ADHD.
Counseling
Psychotherapy can be just as effective as medications in treating ADHD symptoms in adults. As people suffering from ADHD get older, their coping mechanisms can be unable to handle the increased demands of modern life. This is especially relevant during major transitions like college or job changes, where those with ADHD may be required to perform more complicated tasks that require executive function and self-regulation.
In psychotherapy, patients learn how their thoughts and feelings influence their behavior. They also employ self-management techniques, like mindfulness meditation and relaxation exercises to manage anxiety and improve their ability to regulate their attention. They also develop strategies for coping that include time-management and organizational strategies to manage their schoolwork, responsibilities, and relationships.
It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD find a therapist they are comfortable with, who understands them and takes the time to know them. The therapist will review the patient's medical and psychiatric background, and may also request permission to speak to family members, friends and co-workers to get more insight into the way that ADHD affects their daily life and relationships with others.
A therapist may also suggest a treatment plan that includes a combination of medication and counseling. The goals of a treatment plan depend on the needs of the person, but they may include improving work and school performance, improving communication in the family and workplace and enhancing the degree of independence. For those who struggle to cope with the emotional consequences of their illness, counseling may include dealing with traumas and loss.
Parents should be able to attend sessions with a therapist. Many children and teenagers have been successfully treated using medication alone. In therapy mental health professionals can help parents learn how to communicate with their child and teenager in a manner that helps manage core ADHD symptoms. They can also instruct parents on techniques for managing stress and offer support groups for families with children who suffer from ADHD.
Support
There are a myriad of ways to support individuals and families living with ADHD. The most important thing is to seek medical advice and assistance from a medical professional. There are a variety of treatments available, including cognitive behavior therapy, family and individual counseling, life coaching nutritional supplements, and physical therapies like yoga or massage. There are a variety of websites and books that provide suggestions for dealing with ADHD.
Parents may require assistance to handle the angers, frustrations and accusations that children with ADHD can generate. Mental health professionals can assist parents on the disorder and help them develop new attitudes, skills, and ways of communicating with their children. For get diagnosed with adhd -age children, this can include teaching them how to deal with their issues in the classroom and setting clear guidelines and expectations for behavior. Siblings may benefit from specialized support as well. They often feel neglected when their siblings or brothers are the focus of their parent's attention. This can cause feelings of resentment and jealousy. The process of educating siblings about ADHD and teaching them how to deal with their own behaviors can reduce these negative feelings.
The people who are who are diagnosed with ADHD are also able to receive assistance and support from their friends or family members, teachers and school staff. Symptoms of the disorder can cause disruption in classes or at work, and they can hinder social relationships. People with ADHD might find it difficult to maintain healthy sleep habits, and this can contribute to issues with concentration and memory. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from other health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, and these need to be treated as well.
There are many national and local organizations that offer in-person support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These organizations, like CHADD and ADDitude, offer advocacy, education and networking opportunities for people suffering from ADHD and their loved ones. Some of these organizations have an inventory of health professionals who specialize in treating the disorder. There are numerous online support groups like those that are run by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.