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Ten Stereotypes About How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis That Aren't Always True
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis

Many adults are unaware they have ADHD until much later in life. The first step in getting a diagnosis is a formal interview. The typical scenario involves the patient, family friends, family members, and other caregivers.

Find a specialist by asking your primary care physician or mental health therapist for recommendations. Then research their professional certification and academic degrees.

1. Visit a Psychiatrist

If you've been struggling with symptoms of ADHD seeking an evaluation is a first step towards gaining control over your condition. If you're a dreamer and frequently lose your keys, or never complete projects at home, it is important to consult an expert in mental health who is aware of how to treat adult ADHD.


A psychiatrist or clinical social worker psychologist can diagnose ADHD. Your family doctor might be able to conduct an assessment as well however, many of them have limited knowledge about 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 the evaluation process your healthcare provider will review your personal and psychiatric history. They will ask you standardized questions to evaluate your behavior and determine if you have symptoms of ADHD. If your childhood behavior is related to the diagnosis, they'll also look into it. They might request interviews with your significant other or friends and colleagues as well.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, has revised its criteria for identifying ADHD for adults. Adults now need only five symptoms to meet the criteria, while children and adolescents must have six symptoms to be diagnosed. Your clinician may suggest cognitive, learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests depending on your situation.

It's also important to keep in mind that medication is not the only treatment option for adult ADHD. Psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications can also help manage symptoms. Therapists can help you learn strategies for managing stress, help with organization and time management techniques, and offer emotional support as you learn how to manage your ADHD.

2. Schedule and an Evaluation

While we often think of ADHD as a child-like condition, it can continue into adulthood. This is why a diagnosis is equally important for adults. To get a diagnosis, you'll need to go through an evaluation. The procedure may differ, but expect to undergo a long interview with a medical professional and a physical exam and a series of questionnaires or rating systems.

Adults will be evaluated based on how their symptoms affect various areas of their lives, including work and family. They'll also determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms of ADHD. This could include thyroid issues, mood disorder or seizures.

As part of the assessment, you might be asked to give an account of your symptoms as long as you can. Because ADHD is a condition that develops in the early years of childhood, the examiner will want to know whether you experienced some months of symptoms prior to the age of 12. This may require corroboration from your parents or teachers.

It is essential to get the correct diagnosis since untreated ADHD can cause serious problems. It can impact your career and relationships. Additionally, it could cause financial issues and difficulty managing the bills or making payments.

Ask your doctor for a recommendation or contact a mental healthcare professional who is specialized in adult ADHD. The majority of professionals will be able to provide information about their level of education and experience working with adults with ADHD. If they're hesitant or refuse this information it's a warning signal. You can also find an ADHD professional by asking people who have ADHD for recommendations or by searching online for professionals.

3. Contact us to schedule a consultation

If you are considering how to get an adhd diagnosis, it's important to choose the right mental health specialist for you. You will want to look for someone who has experience with ADHD in adults and will spend the time to thoroughly examine you for the disorder. If you don't have any experts who specialize in ADHD you can contact your insurance company to determine whether they have experts who are certified in ADHD assessment and treatment.

When you've found an expert, the first step will be to schedule an initial consultation. This will allow the psychologist or psychiatrist to meet with you to determine if ADHD is the best diagnosis for your symptoms. They'll also conduct a full checkup, including hearing and vision tests, to ensure that a different health issue isn't causing your problems.

To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms you experience must have been present for at minimum six months and interfere with your ability to function in at least two different settings. This includes situations at school, home, the workplace, and in social environments. You might be asked to fill out a scale of behavior rating to help you identify your particular symptoms.

The evaluator may also ask you about your family history of ADHD and may use a checklist to score your symptoms against DSM-5 criteria. They will also ask you questions about your life in the family, school and determine if there is a pattern to your behavior that could indicate ADHD.

Additionally, your physician might decide to conduct brain scans and blood tests as part of the process of evaluation. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disorders.

4. Take a Psychiatric Examination

The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis is the first step towards getting treatment and controlling symptoms that could be causing destruction on your life. If you're constantly losing your keys, find it difficult to concentrate at work or your relationships are suffering, a precise diagnosis is crucial to rectifying these issues and finding the best coping strategies.

Your doctor will ask you to be questioned and asked about your history of ADHD symptoms. They'll want to know about your family history, the reasons for your symptoms, and when you first noticed the symptoms, and how they have affected your social and professional life. It's important to be honest and not hide any details.

The psychiatrist or psychologist who performs your psychiatric evaluation will also look over your medical and psychiatric history. They will also utilize an extensive checklist to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD. These criteria are outlined in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Your evaluator could also decide to perform other tests in addition to evaluating your ADHD symptoms. This could include cognitive testing to determine if you have learning or intellectual disabilities that may be causing your problems. They can also conduct physical tests to rule out conditions such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which can sometimes be a symptom of ADHD.

Psychologists who conduct psychological testing have been trained in specialized areas that enable them to conduct thorough tests for a wide range of disorders. They are trained to spot symptoms of a wide range of disorders, such as depression and anxiety as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and various mental health issues.

5. Complete adhd diagnoses or a mental health professional will interview you about your symptoms. This can last up to an hour, depending on the practitioner. During this time you will be asked to describe your symptoms and concerns in detail. You might also be required to have your family teachers or caregivers fill out similar forms.

These questionnaires are designed to have the same set of questions that is standardised which improves reliability and reduces the possibility that different interviewers can come up with different answers. They will ask you about your symptoms now and since childhood. They will also review diagnostic criteria to determine the amount of ADHD characteristics you exhibit.

Some evaluators will want to perform other tests as well. Some evaluators also conduct cognitive tests to check for learning or intellectual disabilities which could be the cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also check your symptoms for other conditions like depression and anxiety. They may also perform medical tests to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorders.

It is essential that you answer these questions in completeness and honestly. While it may be uncomfortable to talk about your troubles it can aid the evaluator in finding out as much as possible about your issues. The information gathered will be used to determine whether your ADHD symptoms can be attributed to another disorder or if they are ADHD.

It is not uncommon for a psychiatric examiner to inquire about other people's experiences with your symptoms. They may want to talk with your partner or spouse, especially when you are an adult. They may also wish to speak with your teachers, parents or daycare providers, if you have children.