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