How do I explain my ADHD symptoms to my doctor?

How to Talk to Your Doctor About ADHD
  1. Step 1: Don't Worry About Your Doctor Labeling You. ...
  2. Step 2: Make a Specific Appointment to Discuss Your ADHD Symptoms. ...
  3. Step 3: Explain Your Symptoms of ADHD With Real-Life Examples. ...
  4. Step 4: Be Honest With Your Doctor If You've Tried Someone Else's ADHD Medication.


How do I prove to my doctor I have ADHD?

Getting Diagnosed. There's no one test. Instead, doctors and psychologists get information about what and how many symptoms you have, when they started, how long they've lasted, and how severe they are. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, you need to have several symptoms, not just one or two.

How do I explain my ADHD symptoms?

People with ADHD often describe their lives as feeling chaotic and out of control.
...
Some of the symptoms of adults with ADHD are:
  1. Trouble completing and organizing tasks.
  2. Frequently losing important belongings.
  3. Forgetfulness and distraction.
  4. Restlessness.
  5. Difficulty following details.
  6. Impatience.


What does an official ADHD diagnosis look like?

Five or more symptoms of inattention and/or ≥5 symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity must have persisted for ≥6 months to a degree that is inconsistent with the developmental level and negatively impacts social and academic/occupational activities.

What are the 3 key symptoms used to diagnose ADHD?

The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:
  • Inattention: Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention) Difficulty listening to others. ...
  • Impulsivity: Often interrupts others. ...
  • Hyperactivity: Seems to be in constant motion; runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion.


How to bring up signs of ADHD to your doctor as an adult



What to do if you just got diagnosed with ADHD?

Get Treatment and Support. The best way to treat adult ADHD is with a combination of medication and therapy. You can also get support from an ADHD coach and from others with the disorder. A therapist or counselor can educate you about the disorder and how it affects your life.

What do you rule out before ADHD diagnosis?

Rule out PTSD and recent abuse or trauma when assessing for ADHD. Children with recent trauma often present with agitation, restlessness, and behavioral disturbance—symptoms that mimic ADHD. Mood and adjustment disorders. Difficulty concentrating also is a criterion for major depressive disorder.

What do psychiatrists look for in ADHD?

According to the latest DSM-V guidelines, in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a patient has to have shown at least six of the nine symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity prior to age 12. In addition, these symptoms must impair the person's functioning in more than one setting — home, school, or work.


What is the gold standard for ADHD diagnosis?

To determine whether you have ADHD, they'll complete a comprehensive assessment using the diagnostic criteria set out in the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the national standard for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions in the United States.

Is it worth getting an ADHD diagnosis?

Getting an accurate diagnosis enables them to find and start an effective treatment plan, which is life-changing. A failure to recognize these behaviors, especially when they're severe, can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD.

Is ADHD considered to be a disability?

Yes. Whether you view attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as neurological — affecting how the brain concentrates or thinks — or consider ADHD as a disability that impacts working, there is no question that the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers individuals with ADHD.


When should you disclose ADHD?

The only good reason for disclosure is when your efforts at getting accommodations have failed. If you fear that you without an accommodating change or service, disclosure may be necessary. One thing you should know: An ADHD diagnosis alone, does not entitle an employee to services and/or accommodations.

When is ADHD most difficult to detect?

It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 4 years. This is because younger children change very rapidly. It is also more difficult to diagnose ADHD once a child becomes a teenager. There is no single test for ADHD.

What is the best age to test for ADHD?

A child can be evaluated for ADHD beginning at age four. Some children will have an evaluation in kindergarten or first grade. Many parents wait until symptoms are causing difficulties at home and in school before seeking an evaluation. Parents should talk with their child's healthcare provider if they have concerns.


What it's like to have ADHD as a grown woman?

Women with ADHD face the same feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted as men with ADHD commonly feel. Psychological distress, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and chronic stress are common. Often, women with ADHD feel that their lives are out of control or in chaos, and daily tasks may seem impossibly huge.

Can you live without knowing you have ADHD?

ADHD is a mental health condition that affects a person's behavior. It usually appears during childhood, but the symptoms can also persist into adulthood. A lot of people do not know that they have ADHD. A doctor can suggest different treatment plans or behavioral therapies that help control the symptoms.

Do I have ADHD or anxiety?

The symptoms of ADHD are slightly different from those of anxiety. ADHD symptoms primarily involve issues with focus and concentration. Anxiety symptoms, on the other hand, involve issues with nervousness and fear. Even though each condition has unique symptoms, sometimes the two conditions mirror each other.


What is ADHD commonly misdiagnosed as?

Bipolar disorder and ADHD. The most difficult differential diagnosis for doctors to make is between ADHD and bipolar disorder. These two conditions are often hard to distinguish because they share several symptoms, including: mood changes.

What can be mistaken for ADHD in adults?

Doctors often mistake ADHD symptoms in adults for mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions with overlapping symptoms. For adults, hyperactivity can be turned inward.

What is masking ADHD?

If you hide your adult ADHD symptoms from other people, that's called masking. Basically, you're trying to seem more “normal” or “regular.” ADHD causes some people to act hyperactive or impulsive. It makes other folks have trouble paying attention. And still other adults have a combination of those symptoms.


Do you get money for having ADHD?

ADHD is recognised as a condition which qualifies for disability benefits and funding.

What is ADHD anxiety?

ADHD and anxiety are closely connected. Anxiety disorder is ADHD's most common comorbidity — in no small part because the ADHD experience makes for a life characterized by stress and worry. This is especially true in the time of the pandemic, when new coping mechanisms are required.

Should I tell my boss I was diagnosed with ADHD?

"Disclosing the challenges of your ADHD may help employers and team members to better understand your challenges, how you work best, and how to work in harmony with you," says Linda Walker, a professionally certified ADHD coach.


Is ADHD a mental illness or Neurological Disorder?

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. It interferes with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral).

What are the benefits of ADHD?

People living with ADHD may have a variety of skills and abilities beyond those of their neurotypical counterparts. These may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy.