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Next Generation Therapies. Get Involved. Donate Today. Donate Cryptocurrency. Other Giving Opportunities. Planned Giving. Research Partners. Donor Advised Funds. Team Up for Research! Sponsorship Opportunities. Healthy Minds TV. Ask the Expert. In this sense, getting a diagnosis can be a relief.
Also keep in mind that an ADHD diagnosis is not a sentence for a lifetime of suffering. Some people have only mild symptoms, while others experience more pervasive problems. But regardless of where you or your child land on this spectrum, there are many steps you can take to manage your symptoms. It is important to understand that an ADHD diagnosis does not rule out other mental health conditions. Anxiety — Excessive worry that occurs frequently and is difficult to control. Symptoms include feeling restless or on edge, easily fatigued, panic attacks, irritability, muscle tension, and insomnia.
Depression — Symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and self-loathing, as well as changes in sleep and eating habits and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
Learning disabilities — Problems with reading, writing, or mathematics. Substance abuse — The impulsivity and behavioral issues that often go along with ADHD can lead to alcohol and drug problems. A diagnosis of ADHD can be a great wake-up call—it can give you the extra push you need to seek help for the symptoms that are getting in the way of your happiness and success. The earlier you begin tackling the symptoms, the better.
Managing ADHD takes work. Finding the right treatments for you or your child is a process—one that takes time, persistence, and trial and error. But you can help yourself along the way by keeping the following goals in mind: learning as much as you can about ADHD, getting plenty of support, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits. ADHD is treatable. With the right treatment and support, you or your child will be able to get the symptoms of ADHD under control and build the life that you want.
Treatment is your own responsibility. Health professionals can help, but ultimately, the responsibility lies in your own hands. Learning all you can about ADHD is key. Support makes all the difference. While treatment is up to you, support from others can help you stay motivated and get you through tough times. American Psychiatric Association. Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Wolraich, M. Pediatrics, 4.
Huang, H. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 28 2 , — Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD can't be diagnosed with a physical test, like a blood test or an X-ray. Instead, a health professional uses an evaluation process to diagnose ADHD.
During the evaluation, a professional gathers information about you or your child to determine if the criteria for ADHD are met. Regardless of the specific presentation of ADHD—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined—several conditions must be met in order to arrive at an official diagnosis:.
For children up to 16 years old, six or more symptoms of inattention must be present, while people 17 and older must exhibit five or more symptoms. In the process of diagnosing someone with ADHD, a doctor will also indicate severity:. You might be tempted to avoid getting an official diagnosis for yourself or your child.
After all, what's the point if you don't plan to take medication? Or, perhaps you're concerned that being labeled with ADHD might hurt more than it helps. But, there are many advantages to getting an ADHD diagnosis. Getting diagnosed can be the key to getting help—even if you don't plan to use medication as part of your treatment. There is also an emotional benefit. The symptoms associated with ADHD can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment about underachieving.
Or, it can lead to a lot of frustration over the amount of time it takes to complete tasks. A diagnosis may help reduce those emotions. Accommodations at school or in the workplace can be granted when you show written evidence of a diagnosis.
Once you've been tested for ADHD, you can begin a course of treatment that will help make life more manageable.
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