‍Start Your ADHD Diagnosis Journey

The symptoms clicked and you relate to almost everything an ADHD person may experience. You'd like to have a diagnosis for what you've been experiencing. There will be countless questions that you might be thinking about before having an ADHD diagnosis. What will happen to me after an ADHD diagnosis? Do I really need to be diagnosed? Where will I get my diagnosis? What does an ADHD diagnosis entail? What are the things to consider before having an ADHD diagnosis?

It's important to start by understanding what ADHD is. You'll be needing to know if what you have is ADHD. After all, there are several similar symptoms that co-exist with ADHD and other mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.

We discourage everyone to do self-diagnosis, as it may be a harmful attempt to make sense of what you've been going through all your life. You may start by using our website materials and self-assessment workbook as a helping hand, but we encourage you to see a professional and work with them for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Seek Professional Help

Depending on your country or location, various medical professionals can help you with your ADHD diagnosis. Some of the various professionals that can help you diagnose ADHD are psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers or therapists, counselors, family doctors, and primary-care providers. But, remember, whichever medical practitioner you have and you don't feel the result of your diagnosis, you can ask for a second opinion to confirm your situation.

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DSM5 and Related Activities

There is no absolute basis for ADHD diagnosis. In fact, it's largely based on a mental health professional's opinion and observation. To be considered valid, your diagnosis must follow the DSM5 standards. Psychiatrists have been known to diagnose ADHD by referring to the DSM-V, which are handbooks for diagnosing mental disorders.

Mental health professionals ask specific questions and scenario-based questions as a part of your ADHD diagnosis process. If you can relate to most of those questions, you have a good chance of being diagnosed with ADHD by them. However, as the diagnosis is based on the doctor’s opinions and your own response, it is best and recommended to write down your experiences, emotions, and memories on a piece of paper. These activities will ensure that all experiences are covered and will avoid misdiagnosis brought by panic-attack, anxiety, or such during a face-to-face interview with the mental health professional.

Be Calm, Be Prepared

Remember that an ADHD diagnosis will definitely help you understand your situation. Knowing the right mental condition that you have could prepare you for the choices you have to take. Also, having the right approach and outlook before going to an ADHD diagnosis will make accepting the diagnosis easier. You'll never know what the solution is unless you truly know what the problem is in the first place.

So, go ahead and make the first step towards your ADHD diagnosis journey! There's nothing to be afraid of as long as you know how to manage your expectations. If you feel like we could help with anything that we missed, please don't hesitate to comment or send an email to us 🤗

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