How to Get Assessed For ADHD
It is crucial to get a diagnosis if you are having trouble staying on track at school or at work due to ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis can help you regain control over your life.
An evaluation involves a physical exam, review of previous tests and school records (for adults) and a consultation with the patient and questionnaires, as well as screening for ADHD.
1. Speak to Your Doctor
Begin by speaking to your primary care physician if you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They can make recommendations to health professionals in your area who specialize in diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults. They can also refer you to a specialist for additional screening and treatment, if required.
It is crucial to be honest with your doctor about your symptoms. They can help you better know your issues and provide a solutions-oriented strategies to overcome them. It is especially important to inform your doctor know if you've had symptoms since the age of. ADHD is usually not diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when the person's coping mechanisms have reached their limits or the new requirements and obligations at work, school or in relationships are just too difficult to handle.
A certified evaluator can conduct clinical interviews, behavioral ratings scales, or symptom checklists in order to determine if you are in line with the ADHD diagnostic criteria. They may require you to fill out an assessment form prior to your appointment or ask you to complete it at the time of your evaluation appointment. They may also ask you to be screened for other mental disorders like anxiety or depression that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. They may also perform cognitive testing to determine whether you have learning disabilities or other conditions that might hinder your ability to focus.
They will also check for medical conditions that may be causing symptoms, for instance a thyroid disorder or seizure disorders. They might also need to conduct a physical exam to rule out other issues. You may be having your first medical exam in a while. Be prepared by having a thorough physical exam, including blood tests, prior to the exam.
2. Schedule an Appointment
For children, doctors typically begin with a physical exam and make sure that there isn't another issue causing the symptoms (like eye infections or ear issues). They will discuss with both parents and children about the signs they're seeing. You and your child could be asked to fill out checklists to look for ADHD symptoms. They may also request school records to determine if similar behaviours have been observed by teachers.
They'll likely also take an assessment of their mental health and review the family's mental health and medical histories. The doctor will also determine if any other conditions could be responsible for the symptoms, such as thyroid issues or learning disabilities. Bring any information or records you have to your appointment. It is also beneficial to bring old school documents as ADHD can be a family trait and be detected on report cards.
The next step is to have an interview with the doctor or nurse doing the evaluation. The discussion will likely be on the way that ADHD affects the individual both personally and professionally. It is essential for those suffering from ADHD to be candid during the discussion. People are often embarrassed to talk about their problems, and often do not reveal the full story. This can lead to a mistaken diagnosis, as the patient is left with a diagnosis that doesn't fully explain their problems.
If you are an adult who requires an ADHD assessment, it's possible to get one through the NHS in England by contact your GP and describing the reason you believe you might have the disorder. Adults are more likely to seek out private assistance. It is also crucial for an adult who wants to be assessed for ADHD to remember that only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose the condition in the UK.
3. Schedule an appointment with a Psychiatrist
When you get referred for an ADHD evaluation, the psychiatrist will interview you about your symptoms and go over your medical history. They will also assess how you are currently performing and your daily routine. They might use behavior rating scales, checklists of symptoms, and other tests to determine if your symptoms are in line with the requirements for ADHD diagnosis as defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition). They will also conduct neuropsychological, psychological and/or learning disabilities tests.
It is crucial to understand that you need to have severe symptoms and they must be present for a lengthy period of time to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. Your symptoms need to hinder your ability to perform at school, work or at home. They must have been present since before age 12 years old. You need at least six traits (symptoms) that are listed in the ADHD diagnostic guidelines and they need to interfere with your life. Your doctor should also rule out any other health issues that may cause your symptoms.
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a psychiatrist that is competent to perform an ADHD assessment for adults. It is helpful to ask your primary care physician for recommendations or look online for professionals in your region. You can also reach out to your insurance to find out which specialists they recommend and what they will cover. Some people feel more comfortable working with an expert who is compatible with their gender identity and culture.
After collecting all the necessary information to make a diagnosis, the psychiatrist will develop a plan of treatment for you. This could include medication therapies lifestyle changes, alternative treatments. They will also schedule regular follow-up appointments to check on your progress and make adjustments if needed. It is important to follow the treatment plan that you have been given to ensure you get relief and manage your ADHD symptoms effectively.
4. Schedule an appointment with a Child Psychiatrist
It's vital to make an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist, as only they are able to diagnose ADHD. Your doctor can refer you to one or both, and it's possible to get an assessment through the NHS. The assessment will require filling out rating scales, questionnaires and interviews with you and your family members. You could be asked to submit your medical and family background, including any mental health diagnosis you've received.
You'll be asked about how often your child exhibits signs of hyperactivity or lack of focus in the present and in the last six months. You'll also be asked how these symptoms impact your child's functioning at home and school. The doctor will determine if your child is in compliance with the standard criteria for ADHD. Generally, you or your child must display at least six established symptoms in either the hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention categories to receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
Teachers are often the first to spot ADHD in children. Your child's teacher will be asked to rate the behavior of your child using various scales for behavior like the SNAP and the Child Behaviour Checklist. The teacher will be asked to explain in greater details the behaviour of your child.
It is essential for those who are being assessed for ADHD to be open with their doctors even if they are embarrassed or ashamed about the problems they are having. Symptoms of ADHD can have severe consequences, such as losing a job or getting into financial trouble because of the impulsive spending. In order for ADHD to be recognized the condition must be sufficient to cause problems in more than one setting.
5. Make an appointment to see a Child Psychologist
A Psychiatrist or Psychologist will assess the child and perform tests to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD. They will also look into the child's medical background, family history and developmental. In assessments for adhd of the interview, they will use rating scales and questionnaires that are designed to identify the signs of ADHD. These may be completed by the child, parents and teachers. They may also be asked to take assessments of their psychological and educational needs to determine cognitive processes such as memory, planning, decision-making, and reasoning and to exclude other conditions that might cause the same symptoms.
For children, to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that have lasted for at least six months. For adults, they must have five or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These requirements are formulated by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 - TR.
A lot of people don't get diagnosed with ADHD until they're struggling in school, at work or in their relationships as a result of the symptoms. It is also possible that the onset of adulthood is the turning point due to the fact that additional responsibilities and changes in routine could overwhelm the person's strategies for coping.
It can be a challenge to determine if you have ADHD because of the stigma associated with the condition and the fact that it is often wrongly diagnosed. For example, it is quite common for medical professionals to observe a person struggling with unmanaged ADHD and believe that they are depressed or lazy, especially when they haven't previously seen the patient. This can lead to inappropriate treatment that fails to tackle the root issues. It is therefore important to explain to your GP why you believe your child is suffering from ADHD, and to request that they send you to an evaluation.