Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a life-changing step. Whether you have trouble focusing, forget things, or do things without thinking, understanding the process can help you feel more confident in seeking professional help. This guide will tell you how to get diagnosed for ADHD, who can help, and what will happen.
What ADHD is and What ADHD is not
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one's concentration, impulse control, and activity level. It is not just a case of distractibility; it involves different aspects of life, including one's work, school, and relationships. Its core symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which vary from person to person.
However, other disorders like sleep disorders, dopamine-deficiency, mood dysregulation, anxiety, or learning disabilities can have similar symptoms. That is why it is essential to get an appropriate ADHD diagnosis from a professional.
Step 1. Recognizing the Symptoms
Before seeking a diagnosis, it's essential to understand the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5, which is the diagnostic manual used by healthcare professionals, lists specific criteria for ADHD. The symptoms can be divided into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Inattention Symptoms:
● Frequently makes careless mistakes
● Difficulty staying focused on tasks
● Does not seem to listen when spoken to
● Struggles with organizing tasks
● Avoids tasks that require mental effort
● Often loses important items (keys, phone, etc.)
● Easily distracted by external stimuli
● Forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptoms:
● Fidgets or squirms when seated
● Cannot stay seated in situations where it’s expected (e.g., at work or school)
● Talks excessively or interrupts others
● Has difficulty waiting for their turn
● Acts without thinking, often leading to mistakes
To receive a diagnosis, these symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 and must interfere with daily life in at least two settings (e.g., home, work, school). It's also important that the symptoms are not caused by other conditions, such as: dopamine-deficiency, mood dysregulation, depression, or anxiety.
Step 2. Finding the Right Professional
The first step in the diagnosis process is finding a qualified healthcare professional. This could be a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, nurse practitioner, or family doctor. It’s important to seek out a provider who is familiar with ADHD, especially in adults, as the condition often presents differently in adulthood than it does in children.
You can ask your primary care provider for a referral. Make sure you ask them if they know how to find and help ADHD in adults. It's very important they know this to find out what's really wrong.
Step 3. Preparing for the Diagnosis Process
Once you’ve found a professional, prepare for the evaluation, which often includes filling out questionnaires, gathering any relevant medical or academic records, and asking a loved one to provide additional information.
Important Documents to Bring:
● Past school report cards or performance reviews
● Previous psychological testing results (if available)
● Job evaluations or performance reviews
● Family history of ADHD or related conditions
Many professionals ask individuals to complete self-report rating scales. These rating scales provide insight into your behaviors and help the clinician determine if they align with ADHD symptoms.
Step 4. The Diagnostic Interview
The most important part of the evaluation is the diagnostic interview, which typically takes place over one or more sessions. During the interview, the clinician will ask you many things about how you feel (symptoms). They will ask when your symptoms started and how they've made your life different.
The clinician will also ask about when you were a kid. They may also ask about school, work, and relationships. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and affect multiple areas of one’s life.
Sometimes, the clinician may also talk to someone close to you, like your husband or wife or your mom or dad. This will help the doctor see how you act and if they missed anything.
Step 5. Using Rating Scales and Checklists
Besides the interview, the clinician may use rating scales and checklists to assess your symptoms. These see how you act compared to people with and without ADHD, offering a more in depth and objective measure of your symptoms.
Step 6. Ruling Out Other Conditions
ADHD can share symptoms with other conditions, such as: depression, anxiety, dopamine-deficiency, mood dysregulation, and learning disabilities. Therefore, a proper diagnosis involves ruling out other possible causes for your symptoms. The clinician will screen for co-existing conditions and assess whether your symptoms are caused by something else.
For example, a person with severe anxiety may struggle with focus and organization, similar to someone with ADHD. However, treating the anxiety would likely improve these symptoms. Therefore, it’s important for the clinician to distinguish between ADHD and other conditions.
Step 7. Medical Examination
A medical examination is often recommended as part of the diagnostic process. While a physical exam cannot confirm ADHD, it can help rule out other conditions, such as thyroid issues or neurological disorders, that might cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
If you haven’t had a recent medical check-up, it’s a good idea to get one to ensure there are no underlying physical causes for your symptoms.
Step 8. Cognitive and Academic Testing (If Needed)
In some cases, additional cognitive and academic testing may be needed to assess intellectual ability and learning skills. These tests help the clinician determine if there is an underlying learning disability, which could contribute to some of the symptoms of ADHD. For example, someone with dyslexia may have trouble focusing on reading, which can be mistaken for inattention.
Step 9. Final Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
After completing the interview, rating scales, and any necessary tests, the clinician will review all the information and make a diagnosis. If ADHD is confirmed, they will develop a treatment plan, which may include:
● Medication. Stimulants like Vyvanse or non-stimulants like Intuniv are commonly prescribed to help manage symptoms.
● Therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical-behavioural therapy (DBT) are often used to help individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies.
● Lifestyle Changes: improving time management, setting up organizational systems, and reducing distractions can help manage ADHD symptoms.
- Environment Changes: accommodations for workplace or school, improvements in home organization such as decluttering can make a big difference in one’s ability to concentrate and manage distractions.
The clinician will discuss the treatment options with you and may communicate with your primary care provider for additional support.
Step 10. Follow-Up and Ongoing Support
ADHD treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It may take time to find the right combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes that work best for you. Regular follow-ups with your clinician are important to track progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Conclusion
Getting diagnosed for ADHD can be a transformative experience. It provides a better understanding of your challenges and opens the door to treatment options that can improve your quality of life. While the process can seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that seeking help is the first step towards managing symptoms and living a more fulfilling life.
