Your absolute first step with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder
(ADD) before considering medication and ADHD treatment is
to ensure a proper assessment and diagnosis.
Why is this so important?
There are a number of variances within ADHD and other
medical conditions that share symptoms. It is extremely
important to know exactly what you're dealing with before
you seek treatment. It's like treating the common cold
with antibiotics - they don't have any effect and the cold
won't go away, likewise you'll be putting things in your
body that you simply don't need. However, with ADHD an
inaccurate diagnosis and mistreatment has much more
significant risks because ADHD doesn't go away like the
common cold. It affects every aspect of your life.
So your absolute first step is to ensure a proper
assessment and diagnosis.
Where do you go for your assessment and diagnosis?
Ideally you want to get a proper assessment and diagnosis
performed by an expert in ADD/ADHD. For children and teens
with ADD this is often easier simply because there are more
pediatricians and child psychiatrists comfortable with ADD
than there are adult psychiatrists comfortable with adult
ADD.
If you're an adult looking for a specialist who is an
expert in ADD, then the best place to start is with your
family doctor, or primary care physician. The next step (if
your doctor doesn't know who to send you to) is to contact
your local medical school, or the biggest medical school
close to where you live. Speak to the secretary of the
department of psychiatry and ask about who is working with
adult ADD.
I also recommend asking around your community. You might
be surprised to find out who you already know that has
dealt with ADHD, they may know of some local experts.
What to expect from the assessment and diagnosis:
Whoever you go to, you want to make sure a thorough history
and a physical examination is conducted. Generally speaking
you will want to spend at least 45 minutes to an hour on
the thorough history. Some doctors may break this up into
several appointments, but just know that diagnosing ADHD in
about five minutes is generally poor medical care. The
doctor will likely give you some questionnaires, ask about
background information, and schedule another visit.
The physical examination itself is very important. If
you're seeing a psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis, it is
also important to see a physician for the physical exam
portion. Psychiatrists generally do not do the physical
exams.
The physical exam is important because it helps to rule out
other conditions. For example, if somebody has a hearing
problem, and they are not paying attention - it's because
they can't hear properly. So the proper treatment is a
hearing aid, not an ADHD medicine. Right? There are many
background conditions that can cause people to believe
there is an ADHD condition when there really isn't.
To begin treating ADHD without a proper diagnosis simply
results in treating the wrong thing. The problem doesn't
get resolved, in fact things can become worse, and you're
left with a medicine cabinet full of medications for
improper diagnosis. Take the time to find a qualified ADHD
specialist and obtain a proper diagnosis and assessment.
It will mean all the difference with your treatment
experience and success.
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Dr. Kenny Handelman is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in
Canada and the USA. He is an expert in ADD & ADHD and helps
kids, teens and adults to improve their lives, and build up
their strengths. For a free special report on medication
for ADD/ADHD, please visit: http://www.MedicationMastery.com
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