How to Get Tested For ADHD
Being tested for ADHD can seem overwhelming. You can make the process simpler by following certain steps.
Find a specialist. Ask your family members or your doctor for recommendations. Find out what the fees are for potential specialists and check their credentials.
1. Talk with your doctor
Your primary doctor can help you understand the symptoms you are experiencing and recommend you to mental health professionals. It's also a good idea to seek suggestions from therapists or friends whom you trust.
An evaluation is crucial for both adults and children. ADHD symptoms can cause problems at work, at home, and at school. Many people find that medication can help with ADHD. However therapy can be beneficial. If you don't have a diagnosis you won't be able to access the treatment that could make life easier for you.
The evaluation will ask you questions regarding your symptoms, medical history, and family history. They will also likely use a rating system that lists behaviors common to those who suffer from ADHD. They might ask a family member or friend to fill out the form prior to your appointment, or require you complete it during the evaluation. They will likely look for other conditions causing your symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
Be honest when talking to your evaluation expert. It may be difficult to admit you or your child have trouble controlling their emotions or paying attention, particularly when these characteristics are viewed as "bad." However, you will feel much better once you receive an accurate diagnosis from a professional.
The person doing the evalutation will likely want to review the medical history of you or your loved ones, including previous physical exams blood tests, as well as eye tests. They could also look over report cards from the beginning stages of the child's education. They may also inquire about their experiences with teachers.
If you or your child meet the basic criteria for having ADHD, the evaluator will likely suggest other tests to rule out medical conditions. They may also recommend a psychiatric history to rule out any other disorders like mood or anxiety problems, that can sometimes look like ADHD.
Your evaluator will discuss your test results and recommend ways to help. They'll usually send you the final report. You can request a copy if they don't. The evaluator is guided by the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Society's massive book, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
2. Refer a friend
It is recommended to seek an appointment with a doctor or a professional who is specialized in ADHD assessment. You can ask your doctor for a referral, or search on the internet through your health insurance provider to locate an expert. Psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers are all certified to conduct ADHD assessments, but some have special training in working with adults or children with ADHD.
You can also ask your friends or family members who have ADHD about their experiences working with specialists. They may suggest a therapist or psychiatrist they trust, or recommend an online therapy service such as BetterHelp. Its experts can pair you with a licensed, experienced therapist in as little as 48 hours.
It is important to select an expert who's approach is compatible with your personal preferences and comfort level. Find their credentials on your own and then check whether your health insurance plan will cover their services.
The first step in determining whether you or your child suffer from ADHD is an interview with the healthcare professional who is conducting the assessment. They will ask about your family and medical history, school and work performance, and symptoms. They might also ask that you or your child take one or more rating scales that identify the behaviors that are common to people with ADHD. The healthcare professional may also suggest that you talk to those who are familiar with you, such as your spouse, family members or close friends as well as teachers and coaches to get more information about the issues you're experiencing.
If your healthcare professional suspects you may have ADHD then he or she will inquire about any symptoms that you've had since childhood. It is currently believed that ADHD is a condition that develops only in adulthood. Therefore, your doctor will inquire about any symptoms that you might have experienced when you were a kid.
The expert will use their knowledge and experience in order to conduct an extensive ADHD evaluation. They'll probably conduct a psychotherapy interview to gather the family and medical history. They may also conduct neuropsychological tests. These tests can help distinguish between ADHD and other disorders that display similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
3. Take the test
There isn't a single test to determine if you or your child has ADHD. Doctors use a combination physical exam, questionnaires, and behavioral testing. They may also ask you or your child to describe how symptoms affect daily activities. Your doctor may recommend a different approach to screening children than adults because of the different ages of children and their developmental stages.
In the course of your screening the doctor will want to know whether you or your child have had any other mental health problems. They may also ask you about your family history, and if anyone close to have ADHD. They will inquire about how your or your child's behavior affects your at home, in the classroom or at work. They might ask if you or your child frequently loses the track of time, has difficulty recalling specific details or forgets appointments.
Doctors can also inquire about past traumas you or your child suffered, and if there are any concerns regarding drug or alcohol abuse. They will also ask about your child's social and emotional abilities. They may inquire about your your child's relationship with other children and if they tend to be quickly or impulsive in their actions without thinking.
A person might be diagnosed with ADHD if they display at least six of the nine symptoms for the hyperactive/impulsive type or four of the nine symptoms for the inattentive type over the last six months. These symptoms should affect the daily activities.
You can take an online ADHD test to determine if you are experiencing symptoms that might be indicative of this condition. adhd testing free are helpful, but they can't replace an expert diagnosis. They may also be deceiving and give the wrong impression about the symptoms of your child or you.
4. Get a diagnosis
To get a diagnosis your doctor will want to know about all your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also need to know about your family history of ADHD and whether or not you have a history of personal experience with depression or anxiety. They may recommend you to a mental health professional or psychiatrist to help make an assessment.
The first step is to find an expert who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis. Your primary physician may have some suggestions, or you can ask a family member or friend to recommend a specialist. Many of the mental health professionals who evaluate children for ADHD work with adults as well. Once you find an expert, he/she she will conduct a thorough and thorough clinical interview, and may employ questionnaires, rating scales, or brain scans. The expert will inquire about the school performance of your child. They might also want to speak with their teachers. They will want to see any old report cards that could be examined to see the patterns of behavior and trends.
To be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD the symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months and be present in a variety of settings, such as school, work and home. In order to get a combined type of ADHD, a person must have at least six symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories.
An ADHD evaluation can be a relief to parents, especially in the event that they feel their child is struggling at school or at home because of their inattention and impulsivity. The most important thing is for you or your child to be honest with the professional conducting the assessment. They can then recommend strategies that will improve the situation.
Medication is the most common treatment for ADHD. There are a variety of medications available and your healthcare professional will determine the best one for your child or yourself. Talking to a therapist is another option. Some online therapists, like BetterHelp provide free online assessments and can connect you with a skilled professional within 48 hours.