Get Tested for ADD

Attention deficit disorder, otherwise known as ADD, frequently starts in childhood, although people of all ages suffer from the disorder. If you think you have ADD, getting tested is a vital step in learning to manage and life with it.

Steps

 * 1) Consider why you think you have ADD. Everyone gets distracted once in a while, but ADD is a special situation. Identify just why you think you might have the disorder, so you can better communicate that to your doctor. Try to come up with specific instances when you felt that you displayed symptoms of ADD.[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Choose a healthcare provider to approach. If you already have a psychiatrist or psychologist, make an appointment with that person. Otherwise, go see your general practitioner, who, depending on where you live, will either give you the test or refer you to a specialist.[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Speak frankly with your healthcare provider. Now isn't the time to be vague. Tell him or her exactly why you think you have ADD, and share any specific instances you came up with earlier. They'll also likely be interested in the following information:[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 4) *Any family history of ADD: If any of your blood relatives have ADD, tell your healthcare provider. Some evidence shows that ADD may have a genetic link.
 * 5) *Your personal medical history: Tell your healthcare providers about any previous illnesses or injuries. Take special care to talk about any history of psychiatric disorders.
 * 6) *Your medications: If you're considering going to medications for ADD, your healthcare provider will need to know about any other medications to prevent interactions.
 * 7) Answer your healthcare provider's questions honestly. If your doctor thinks you might have ADD, he or she will likely give you a series of questionnaires, some of which you'll answer on paper and some of which you'll answer aloud. These will include questions about attention, of course, but also other psychiatric problems, like thought disorders or depression. Don't be alarmed if you find yourself answering all sorts of questions about your relationships and your mood. Always answer honestly. Your doctor deserves to be able to make his or her diagnosis based on accurate information.[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Bring questionnaires to other people if your doctor asks you to. Your healthcare provider might also want to hear from members of your family and your teachers or co-workers. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask them to fill these out. Be sure not to coach them on how to respond; accurate answers are once again very important. Keep in mind that most teachers, at least, have a lot of practice filling out these kinds of questionnaires for their students.[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Accept your doctor's diagnosis. With all the information you've given, your healthcare provider will likely make a decision based on DSM-IV criteria, the accepted medical standard for ADD. Even if you disagree, keep in mind that your doctor received extensive education to do this job.[[Image:Get Tested for ADD Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * If you can't afford to go to a typical doctor, try a free clinic in your area or look for government assistance programs.
 * The severity of each diagnosis for ADD varies from person to person. Some individuals suffer from mild and others, extreme. This sometimes allows people to underestimate their disorder being that their case is mild.

Warnings

 * Don't try to be diagnosed with ADD in order to get certain medications. This is dangerous and illegal.

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 * How to Test for ADD