Do I Have ADHD? Next Steps to Find Out

If you’ve been struggling with focus or find it difficult to pay attention during conversations, you may be asking yourself, “Do I have ADHD?” If you are moving or fidgeting excessively or experiencing other symptoms typically associated with Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, you should be screened.

Starting the ADHD diagnosis process

To accurately determine whether you have ADHD or to rule it out, a formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional is essential. Here is how to get the process started:

Make an appointment

If you suspect that you might have ADHD, the first step is to reach out to and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. Contact your primary care physician or go directly to a mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist to be formally diagnosed.

If you are already in therapy, discuss your concerns with your therapist. They can provide valuable insights and refer you to a trusted specialist in your area for a comprehensive assessment.

Reflect on your symptoms

Before your appointment with a healthcare provider, reflect on your symptoms. Common symptoms include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Write down specific behaviors that concern you or that interfere with your daily life and well-being.

For example, you may find yourself unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings or you might find it difficult to wait your turn to speak in a conversation and may frequently interrupt others.

Consider how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and in what context they occur. Do you notice these symptoms primarily when you’re at work, school, or home? Or do they seem to arise randomly or just in the context of specific situations? Recording your symptoms in written form, along with the specific times and detailed contexts in which they occur, can help you and your healthcare provider identify potential patterns and triggers.

Prepare for your appointment

Prepare for your appointment by bringing your list of symptoms, including specific examples of behaviors you believe to be related to ADHD. Describe how these symptoms have impacted your daily life to provide your healthcare professional with a comprehensive understanding of your situation.

Additionally, be prepared to share your medical history, including any physical or mental conditions or concerns you might have. Family history is also important, as ADHD can run in families. Note any family history of ADHD or other mental health conditions that you are aware of and give detailed information. If you feel anxious about your appointment, discuss it with your therapist and consider bringing a trusted family member or friend with you.

Discuss concerns

During your appointment, be prepared to openly discuss your mental health or behavioral concerns with the healthcare professional. Describe your symptoms in detail, including when you first noticed them and how they have impacted your life. Be frank about your daily behaviors so the healthcare professional can gain an accurate understanding of the issues.

Don’t hesitate to mention any specific challenges or patterns you have observed, even if they seem insignificant, as this information can be crucial for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.

Evaluation process

The healthcare professional will likely conduct a comprehensive evaluation which might include an interview about symptoms, medical history and daily function. You and your family may be asked to complete a standardized questionnaire or rating scales to assess the severity of your symptoms. Additionally, input from your teachers or colleagues can provide valuable perspectives on your behavior in different settings.

Behavioral observations can be particularly helpful for the healthcare provider, but this is more common when diagnosing children. For adult patients, the professional relies on these questionnaires completed by people they work with or those in their social circles to gather insights into how others perceive their behavior. These multiple sources of information help create a well-rounded understanding of their condition.

Follow-up

Depending on the initial findings, further appointments or a referral to a specialist might be necessary. The healthcare professional might request additional testing to ensure a comprehensive and accurate evaluation.

Don’t be intimidated by these further assessments; they are essential for ruling out other possible causes of your symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities. The goal is to ensure an accurate diagnosis and to develop an effective treatment plan.

During the follow-up appointments, you may undergo more specific tests or evaluations to dig deeper into your symptoms and their impact on various aspects of your life. This might include cognitive assessments, neurological exams, or additional questionnaires.

How a therapist can help

Once diagnosed with ADHD, a therapist can play a crucial role in helping you to manage your condition. Your therapist will help you set goals and help you determine which behaviors are the most challenging to overcome or that most interfere with your daily life. Therapists can provide various support including behavioral therapy, skills training, emotional support, and social skills training, and can help in other practical ways.

Remember that the diagnosis process can take time and might even require multiple visits to fully understand your symptoms and their impact on your life. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your healthcare professional will discuss treatment options with you, which can include behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these approaches. Having a proper diagnosis can lead you to the help you need to start living your best life.

For more assistance in living with an ADHD diagnosis, call us at Redding Christian Counseling to meet with one of the counselors at Redding Christian Counseling in California.