How is ADHD Diagnosed?

ADHD diagnoses have grown 67% in the last 20 years. However, misinformation and misdiagnoses are still common, as many professionals lack the specialized training that diagnosing ADHD requires. Understanding the process and requirements for a thorough ADHD diagnosis is essential to ensure that you or your loved ones get the answers you need.

ADHD occurs across a wide spectrum of severity, and there are three sub-types, all of which can look quite different. To make matters even more difficult, up to 90% of people with ADHD have one or more co-occuring conditions, sometimes with overlapping symptoms.

Only a medical professional should diagnose ADHD. This can be a pediatrician or family doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or an advanced practice registered nurse. However, many general practitioners do not have the specialized training required to accurately diagnose ADHD. As you choose an evaluator, ensure that they have extensive knowledge about ADHD and have a lot of experience diagnosing it.

ADHD cannot be diagnosed with a simple test. Instead, practitioners must collect a large body of information about the patient using tests, rating scales, and interviews with the patient, and several people who know them well. An effective evaluator should also run screeners for common co-occuring conditions, like learning disabilities, anxiety, and autism.

Want more information? Check out this article: How to Get an Accurate ADHD Diagnosis…the First Time.