Getting an ADHD Diagnosis: Everything You Need to Know

The process of diagnosing ADHD is an important one. There are many challenges involved in getting a positive ADHD diagnosis for children and adolescents with this developmental disorder. If you or your loved one is struggling with symptoms of ADHD, it is a good idea to work with a qualified mental health professional to help identify the cause and devise treatment plans. Unfortunately, in our society, it can be difficult to receive an accurate ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that symptoms may be misdiagnosed or dismissed as related to another disorder. For example, if the child in question is actually suffering from Tourette's syndrome, which is classified as a behavioural, developmental disorder, rather than attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, then the diagnosis for ADHD is often called based on the latter. As mentioned above, diagnosing ADHD is vital because of the serious repercussions that it has on the lives of those who suffer from it. Because of this, the process of ADHD evaluation has to be done very carefully and thoroughly. Here are some of the basic steps involved in this process. The first step to getting a positive ADHD diagnosis involves the observation of the child in question. All symptoms of inattention must be present for at least six months before a diagnostic evaluation can be conducted. In addition, the ADHD patient must have had the disorder for at least six months without a significant amount of inattention, and the symptoms must be interfering in the child's ability to function normally. When all of these criteria are met, then a proper ADHD diagnosis can be made. It is not uncommon for some of the symptoms of inattention to overlap with symptoms of other disorders or to be confused with another disorder altogether. Once the child has met the above requirements, he or she will need to undergo an evaluation process. The evaluation process will involve at least two adults: a primary care practitioner and a psychologist or psychiatrist. In most cases, both of these professionals will be involved in the ADHD diagnosis process, but not always. In order for the ADHD diagnosis to be accurate, both of these professionals must participate in the evaluation process as well. This is especially important when diagnosing mild ADHD. The next step in the process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis is to determine if impulsivity is a symptom of a disorder. Impulsivity is one of the most common symptoms of ADHD but is not a medical condition in its own right. Impulsivity means that the child has an inability to control his or her behaviour in many situations. In some cases, impulsivity is manifested by poor impulse control, but sometimes it manifests itself in dangerous and unlawful behaviour such as driving under the influence of alcohol. After determining that impulsivity is a valid ADHD diagnosis criterion, the next step in the process is to determine which behaviours are indicative of ADHD and which behaviours might be normal teenage or college behaviours. A physical assessment is helpful in this case. Your child's school physician or a teacher can perform this evaluation, but it is helpful to have the assistance of a specialist as well. When conducting the physical exam, the doctor will want to know about your child's head, shoulders, chest, and abdomen. An ADHD evaluation will also look for joint problems and abnormal reflexes. If you are worried about symptoms such as tremors and hyperventilation, you may want to bring your child to the doctor for a follow-up appointment. Next, the doctor will need to conduct interviews with you and your child to obtain additional information about the severity of your child's symptoms. You may be asked questions pertaining to family history, functioning in class, and academic performance. When investigating whether ADHD is a possible cause of your child's symptoms, the specialist will also want to know about your child's relationships, including his or her social interactions and relationships with his or her peers. Social skills are particularly important in obtaining an accurate ADHD diagnosis. Once all of the needed information has been gathered during the ADHD diagnostic process, you will be invited to submit to a series of interviews and psychological assessments. These will help the specialist determine whether your child has the potential to receive an ADHD diagnosis. If so, he or she will offer you various treatment options. Your treatment options will be determined based on the specific symptoms your child exhibits, his or her age, and his or her level of comprehension. Each case is different, and the process of receiving an accurate ADHD diagnosis may vary slightly from one case to another. Dealing With an ADHD Post Diagnosis ADHD post-diagnosis can be a very scary time. You have already gone through the terrible twinge of the diagnosis and now comes the fear of whether you are going to be able to treat yourself or if you will need the help of professionals. It's an experience I shared with many people when they first got diagnosed. They were told by their physician that it wasn't going to go away on their own. They were told that there was no cure for ADHD, that it would just remain a problem for the rest of their lives. That's not true! There is a tremendous range of effective treatments for ADHD available today. If someone has it once, there is a much lower chance of them developing it again in the future. However, sometimes that is not the case. If you do experience ADHD post-diagnosis, don't let that define you. I feel strongly that you should seek a thorough evaluation and treatment from a professional before you are labelled as having ADHD. You may think that this is not important because you're just looking for another job or you think that it is not a big deal. But I'm afraid it is a big deal, and it may even define your life for the next few years! I want you to know that the world does not look the same with ADHD post-diagnosis. If you suffer from it, then you know that your life is not as you thought it would be. You might have tried everything but nothing has worked. I'm sure there are some things you haven't done, and your friends and family have probably discouraged you from trying them. ADHD post-diagnosis can bring about a lot of unnecessary changes in your life. I had to adapt quickly in order to make it work. I dropped several degrees that I loved, had to take very strict diet rules, and suffered from sleep apnea. It was hard to concentrate and keep up with work. I was always tired and had trouble staying focused. I became very depressed and thought that I would never be the same. But thanks to the great support I got from my ADHD coach, I was able to turn things around. I became a very active person and began to excel in school. I am living proof that you can do it! I feel that if you are ready and willing to learn, then there is nothing holding you back from achieving success. If you have been suffering from ADHD, I know that you deserve to have the life you deserve! I am so excited to share all of the changes I made with my child because I know that you can do it, too! Your new knowledge will benefit you in ways you never expected. If you are still struggling to figure out where to go next, then you have come to the right place. I guarantee that you have overlooked a lot of resources, but I have personally tried everything and have found success! That is what I want to help you achieve, as well! I don't think anyone deserves to suffer as I did, but I'm here to tell you that there is hope! You can become successful in life when your ADHD is properly diagnosed. There are several resources available for you and your family to try. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! Find out how you can take your life back! When I found out I had ADHD, I thought I would be stuck in a rut. I was so focused on school, friends, and activities that I really missed out on having fun! I wanted to spend more time with my son and friends so I could have fun with them. I also wanted to pursue sports and hobbies more so I could do something I really love instead of dreading my days at school! I was so excited to finally get diagnosed because I knew that this meant I could finally have a happy and fulfilling life. I was so thankful that I could have something that I really wanted when I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired! I want you to know that there is hope because I was able to turn that dream into reality. I am now living a life that I have always dreamed about but never had the courage to actually get past my diagnosis. ADHD post-diagnosis does not have to control your life anymore. You are in control of how you live and how you want to live it. You can still have all of the things you want and have the life that you deserve. You deserve to have the life you always wanted! If you would like some further guidance and support on managing your ADHD, then you should contact your local experienced ADHD specialist for an in-depth ADHD assessment to improve your understanding of the disorder and to know what treatment method is fit for you or them.