How to Know If You Have ADHD

If you or your child have trouble paying attention, or if you or your child frequently interrupts others or intrudes on activities, it could be ADHD. You or your child should see a doctor to get a diagnosis.

The doctor will ask you or your child a series of questions to learn about how the symptoms affect you and your life. They will also want to know how long you or your child have had the symptoms and if they are severe. They will also look for other conditions that might be causing the same symptoms.

They will probably run some tests to check for medical problems like sleep apnea or thyroid disease, as these can also cause symptoms of ADHD. They may also do some brain scans to examine the area of the brain that controls behavior.

You or your child will then have a clinical interview with a health care professional who specializes in diagnosing ADHD. You or your child will have to describe a typical day in their life and what’s challenging them. Then the doctor will take a close look at their family’s history and psychiatric problems, and talk about your or your child’s medical, social, and educational experiences.

Your doctor will review the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and you or your child will have to meet at least some of them. The doctor will ask you and your child to explain how the symptoms affect you or your child and your relationship with family, friends, and work.

The doctor will then have you complete a series of questionnaires that will help them determine whether or not you or your child has ADHD. This can include things like the Test of Variables of Attention, or T.O.V.A. — which was developed in the 1960s and measures how quickly you can pay attention to something. The test also helps determine whether or not you can control your impulses, and is used to measure the effectiveness of certain medication and coping strategies for adults with ADHD.

A doctor will also want to see your medical and psychiatric records from the past several years. They will need to see if there are any serious mental health disorders that have occurred during your or your child’s childhood or adolescence, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

If you or your child are diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child will have a treatment plan created by a psychologist. This will help you or your child understand how to manage their symptoms and live a more successful life.

Some doctors will also prescribe medication that can help you or your child manage their symptoms. These medications can include stimulants, which are designed to boost energy levels. They can also be combined with therapy or coping skills.

The type of medication that your doctor will prescribe depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your symptoms. You and your doctor will be able to discuss your options, and find the right treatment for you or your child.