How to Tell If You Have ADHD

If you’re a parent of a child with ADHD or an adult who has had to cope with the condition in your own life, you know how important it is to get the right diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it can help you understand your child or yourself better and feel more supported.

The best way to tell if you or your child has adhd is to talk with a doctor or mental health professional who specializes in treating this condition. They will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment for your specific needs.

When you are a patient in an office setting, a provider will usually begin the assessment with a thorough interview. They will ask questions about your development, family history and lifestyle. They will also request that you answer questionnaires about your behavior and habits.

A person with adhd is often characterized by impulsive or hyperactive behaviors. These behaviors may include racing thoughts, excessive talking and fidgeting. They might also include trouble following instructions and paying attention to what’s being said.

They might have difficulty waiting their turn or finishing tasks on time. They might lose things or forget appointments.

There are a variety of tests that can be used to diagnose ADHD in children and adults. A physical exam will usually be done, including a hearing test and a vision exam. A doctor might order brain scans and EEGs, as well.

The most comprehensive evaluation for adhd will also include a full review of your medical and psychiatric history, including any other conditions you might have. It will also involve a series of behavioral assessments using rating scales and teacher input.

Some people with adhd will have a difficult time completing the assessments. They may be anxious or depressed, or they might have a learning disability.

Often, these problems will be present before the age of 12 or 13, so they’ll be asked about them during an ADHD evaluation. If the evaluator feels that they’re present, the patient will have to remember when they occurred and how often.

Your evaluator might also use an online self-report tool to gather more information about your symptoms. This isn’t a substitute for an in-person assessment but can help to give the evaluator a sense of your ADHD symptoms.

In the future, it will likely be necessary to administer more in-person interviews and to complete a battery of psychological and neuropsychological assessments. This is to determine whether your symptoms are causing problems in your daily life and to identify any other co-existing issues that you might have.

These assessments can take up to three hours. They can include a physical examination, a full psychiatric interview and a series of questionnaires and ratings scales.

You might be required to fill out an ADD/ADHD self-report form before you go to the office or during the evaluation. You might also be asked to fill out this form in the privacy of your own home.