Who Diagnoses ADHD?<br /><br />Professionals who are licensed to diagnose ADHD include physicians (particularly psychiatrists, family physicians and neurologists), psychologists and licensed counselors and therapists. Social workers and nurse practitioner can also conduct initial assessments and provide therapy, but they cannot prescribe medication.<br /><br />To be considered to have ADHD, adults must have more than five signs that result in problems in school or work settings and that are not more easily explained by other mental health issues or mood disorders.<br /><br />Medical Doctor<br /><br />A thorough assessment is necessary to accurately diagnose ADHD. This should be performed by an experienced mental health professional or medical doctor trained to recognize ADHD. There are many healthcare professionals who can carry out an ADHD evaluation, including family nurses, doctors, a neurologist or psychiatrist and master level counselors with a degree in psychology or counseling. However, the best option for diagnosing ADHD is a psychiatrist, particularly one with experience treating patients suffering from ADHD.<br /><br />The doctor or mental health professional will assess the patient and look at the patient's symptoms, history and how these symptoms impact the patient's life. The evaluator will compare the individual's behavior to the expectations of the individual's age. They will also determine whether the symptoms can be explained better by a different illness, such as depression or a physical illness.<br /><br />The evaluator will interview the parents, teachers, and any other caregivers that interact with the child. This includes coaches, daycare providers and others. The evaluator also examines the child's developmental and educational background. To be diagnosed with ADHD children must exhibit at least six or more signs of hyperactivity, inattention, or the ability to be impulsive. The symptoms must be present at least twice and cause problems at home, school or at work and in social situations.<br /><br />Adults who are diagnosed with ADHD will undergo similar discussions with family members and colleagues and will also be asked to provide 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 impacted relationships, work or school. The mental health professional will also examine the person's mood, medical background as well as other issues like alcohol or drug use.<br /><br />Some people may feel that they should be screened for ADHD by their primary doctor or general practitioner because they know his or her medical history. This is not always a good idea. It is important to consider whether the person is comfortable speaking with their PCP regarding this particular issue, and also if they believe that the PCP can identify and eliminate any medical conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD.<br /><br />Psychiatrist<br /><br /><br /><br />In certain instances, those with ADHD may be able be diagnosed by their primary care physician. These doctors are typically competent to evaluate the situation, determine if medication is required and refer patients to specialists who can assist with treatment. Other professionals who can diagnose ADHD include psychologists, psychiatrists nurse practitioners, physician' assistants. In some cases, a neurologist will be required to examine the brain and central nervous system.<br /><br />A psychiatric evaluation includes interviewing the patient, their parents and caregivers, as well as assessing school performance, medical and family history and completing mental health questionnaires and tests. A psychiatric specialist can recommend medical tests to rule out any other conditions or illnesses that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include low birth weight, complications with delivery, environmental toxins in pregnancy, or early childhood exposures to alcohol and drugs.<br /><br />To get a diagnosis of ADHD, the person's symptoms have to be evident in two or more settings, such as at home, at work and in social activities. They must also be limiting the person's ability to function and not be attributed to other mental disorders or mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder or depression. If ADHD symptoms impact the person's work performance they could be qualified for reasonable accommodations.<br /><br />People with ADHD might benefit from seeing a counselor or psychologist with a master's level in counseling. These professionals can assist patients to understand their issues and learn to deal with these symptoms. They can also provide emotional assistance and motivation. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/">Iam Psychiatry</a> suffering from ADHD often feel considered unfit to concentrate and complete tasks, but getting an assessment can help them realize it's not their fault.<br /><br />It's important that you choose a healthcare professional who isn't judgmental and who is able to communicate openly with the patient. It is also important to think about how knowledgeable and experienced the healthcare professional is. If they treat ADHD as a minor problem or lack knowledge about it, the patient may need to seek out another doctor.<br /><br />Psychologist<br /><br />Psychologists are doctors who specialize in mental disorders such as ADHD. They are able to provide professional assessments and therapy, however, they are not able to prescribe medication. They may ask to interview other people, such as parents and teachers, to get a better understanding of the person's life. They could also inquire about the person's behavior at present. They will determine if symptoms have been present in the person since the time of their birth, and if not it is if they have only been present for the past six months.<br /><br />Anyone who is concerned that they might be suffering from ADHD should talk to their primary healthcare provider. Although they may not be able to identify the problem, they can help make referrals to specialists who can. People should select professionals with whom they feel secure and comfortable. They should avoid professionals who are judgemental or dismiss their concerns as they won't provide the care required.<br /><br />Certain healthcare professionals like family physicians and psychiatrists, may be able to assess and treat adults suffering from ADHD. However, it is important to determine which doctors have the most experience in treating the disorder prior to scheduling an appointment. Inform your doctor of any medications you are taking such as sedatives and stimulant drugs. These drugs can trigger dangerous side effects when they interact.<br /><br />A diagnosis of ADHD can bring a variety of emotions such as relief and confusion. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, you should seek out additional support from other members of their treatment team like educational specialists, speech and language therapists, and behavioral therapists.<br /><br />People with ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders like bipolar disorder or depression (BD). BD and ADHD have a lot of similar symptoms, so it's important to distinguish them in the course of evaluation. For instance, those suffering from BD typically experience periods of extreme depression, then mania-like episodes. They may exaggerate the amount energy they have, become easily distracted and forget their appointments. Their doctor can refer them to mental health professionals who specialize in BD who can assist in the treatment and diagnosis.<br /><br />Educational Specialist<br /><br />If your child seems to have trouble with hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that can be disruptive to school and at home, it's important to talk about it with a healthcare professional. Primary health doctors, therapists and psychiatrists are all trained to diagnose ADHD. Based on the professional's credentials and training, they may also be able provide treatment like psychotherapy.<br /><br />When diagnosing ADHD health specialists look at a variety of factors. They examine the symptoms, and how they affect a person's daily functioning whether at home, in school, in the workplace, or in relationships. They also examine the person's previous symptoms and family history of ADHD.<br /><br />To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must show 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity, as listed in the diagnostic criteria for children and teens. This is a lengthy procedure, and health professionals need to have as much information as they can to determine the diagnosis. This includes direct information from the person's parents, teachers and other caregivers. It is important to evaluate the behavior of a teenager or child in various settings, as the symptoms can differ across environments.<br /><br />Often, people who get diagnosed with ADHD discover that they struggle at work or at home in ways that aren't typical for their intelligence and age. The diagnosis is a relief as it indicates that the issues aren't caused by laziness or a lack of brainpower. They can be treated by medication or other treatment options.<br /><br />Adults are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD when symptoms have been present in childhood. It's because they believe that ADHD cannot be diagnosed in adulthood. However, some medical and mental health illnesses and major life events may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD and it's crucial to identify other causes prior to making the diagnosis.<br /><br />When you are choosing a doctor to evaluate or treat your ADHD is best to solicit recommendations from family, friends, family and therapists you trust. It's recommended to do your homework and find out more about the credentials of the practitioner and experience. You might also be interested in their previous clients and patients.<br /><br />