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https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/
Who Diagnoses ADHD The licensed professionals who diagnose ADHD include physicians particularly psychiatrists family physicians and neurologists psychologists psychologists and licensed counselors and therapists Nurse practitioners and social workers can also perform initial assessments and offer therapy but they are not able to prescribe medication To be considered to have ADHD adults must show more than five symptoms that result in impairment in work or school environments and are not better explained by other mental health issues or mood conditions Medical Doctor Getting an accurate diagnosis of ADHD requires a thorough evaluation This should be performed by an experienced mental health professional or medical doctor trained to recognize ADHD Many healthcare professionals can carry out an ADHD assessment including nurses family physicians as well as psychiatrists or neurologists and master level counselors who have a degree in psychology or counseling However the most effective option to diagnose ADHD may be a psychiatric physician especially one with experience treating patients with ADHD The doctor or mental health professional will examine the patient and examine the patients symptoms past history and how those symptoms affect the persons life The evaluator will compare the behavior of the person to what is normal for their age The evaluator will also determine if the symptoms are better explained by a different condition such as depression or physical illness For children the evaluator will talk to parents teachers parents and other caregivers who interact with the child such as coaches or day care providers The evaluator also reviews the childs educational and developmental background In order to be diagnosed with ADHD children must have 6 or more symptoms of inattention hyperactivity andor an impulsive nature The symptoms must be present in two or more settings and result in impairments at school home work and social settings Adults who are diagnosed with ADHD will be asked to conduct similar discussions with family members and coworkers and will be required to submit complete medical and mental health history They will also be asked to write about how the symptoms have affected their lives and if they have affected relationships work or school Additionally the mental health professional will assess the individuals mood and medical history as well as other issues like drug or alcohol use Some people might think that they should be screened for ADHD by their primary care physician or general practitioner because they are aware of their medical history This is not always an ideal choice It is important to consider whether they feel comfortable discussing this problem with their PCP and if the PCP is confident in his or her ability to recognize and rule out medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD Psychiatrist In some instances a primary care physician may be able to identify ADHD in patients These doctors can assess the situation and determine if medication may be required They may also refer patients to specialists who can help with treatment Other professionals that can diagnose ADHD are psychiatrists psychologists and physicians assistants In certain cases a neurologist will be required to examine the central nervous system and brain A psychiatric evaluation involves interviews with the patient as well as their parents and caregivers It also involves evaluating the students performance as well as medical and family histories as well as completing mental health tests and questionnaires A psychiatric professional can recommend medical testing in order to rule out other conditions or illnesses that could trigger symptoms of ADHD This includes low birth weight complications with delivery environmental toxins in pregnancy or early childhood exposures to alcohol and drugs To be able to identify ADHD the symptoms of the patient must be present in more than one setting including at home at work and in social activities They must also be restricting the persons performance and they must not be better explained by other mental illnesses or mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder If the symptoms of ADHD hinder a persons ability to perform their job theyre qualified to receive reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act People with ADHD might be able to benefit from seeing a psychologist or counselor who holds a masters degree in counseling These professionals are able to assist people in understanding their symptoms and teach them to cope with these symptoms They also provide emotional support and support People with ADHD often feel like theyre judged for their inability to concentrate and complete tasks but obtaining an assessment can help them realize that its not the fault of ADHD Its important that you choose an individual who isnt judgmental and is willing to speak freely with the patient You should also take into consideration the level of expertise and experience of the healthcare professional If they appear to lack understanding of ADHD or view it as an unimportant condition the patient may have to find a new doctor Psychologist Psychologists are doctors who specialize in mental disorders like ADHD They can offer professional assessments and therapy but they cannot prescribe medications They may ask other people to be interviewed including parents and teachers to gain a better understanding of the persons experience They could also inquire about the persons behavior at present They will attempt to determine if symptoms have been present since childhood and if not whether theyve been present for the last six months People who suspect that they might have ADHD should speak with their primary healthcare provider They may not be able to diagnose the condition but they could refer you to specialists who are It is important to choose a doctor you are comfortable with and feel confident in their capabilities They should stay clear of a doctor who is judgmental or dismisses their concerns since they are unlikely to provide the level of care required Some healthcare providers such as family physicians and psychiatrists can evaluate and treat adults suffering from ADHD However a person should find out which practitioners have the most experience treating the disorder prior to scheduling an appointment It is also important to tell their healthcare providers about any medications they are taking especially sedatives and stimulants These medications could cause dangerous side effects when they interact A diagnosis of ADHD can bring a range of emotions such as relief and confusion If you are diagnosed with ADHD you need to seek additional help from other members of their treatment team such as educational specialists speech and language therapists and behavioral therapists People suffering from ADHD often develop cooccurring conditions such as bipolar disorder or depression BD BD and ADHD have a number of symptoms in common and symptoms therefore it is crucial to differentiate them in the course of the evaluation For instance people with BD typically experience periods of extreme depression followed by episodes of mania They might exaggerate their energy levels become easily distracted and may forget appointments Their healthcare provider can refer them to mental health professionals specializing in BD who can assist with treatment and diagnosis Educational Specialist If your child is struggling with inattention hyperactivity or impulsivity that can be disruptive to school and at home its crucial to discuss it with a medical professional Primary care doctors therapists and psychiatrists are all trained to recognize ADHD Based on the professionals education and credentials they might be able to offer psychotherapy When how to get an adhd diagnosis look at a variety of factors They analyze the signs and their impact on the daily activities of a person whether it is at home at school in the workplace or in relationships They also examine the persons previous symptoms and family history of ADHD A person must show at least six symptoms such as inattention or hyperactivity to be deemed to have ADHD These symptoms are listed in the criteria for diagnosing children with ADHD Its a challenging process and health professionals should have as much information about the patient as is possible This includes information directly from the persons teachers as well as parents and other caregivers It is particularly important to evaluate the behavior of a teenager or child in a variety of settings since often symptoms occur differently in different settings When people are diagnosed with ADHD they often realize that their struggles at work or at home are not typical of their age or intelligence The diagnosis is a relief because it indicates that the issues arent due to lack of focus or insufficient of brainpower and can be helped with medication or other treatments Adults are more likely be diagnosed with ADHD when symptoms were present since the beginning of their lives Its because it is believed that ADHD cannot be diagnosed in adulthood However certain mental and medical issues and major life events may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD so its important to identify other causes prior to making a diagnosis When choosing a health professional to treat or evaluate your ADHD is best to get recommendations from people you know family members and therapists you trust You should also do your research and find out more about the qualifications of the doctor and their expertise You might even want to ask about the previous clients and patients they have served