How to Confirm Suspicions of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (Adult ADD)

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, or Adult ADD as it is more commonly referred to, is a condition that afflicts many people. If you suspect that you may have Adult ADD, follow these steps to learn how to confirm your suspicions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. ~ Make a Doctor's Appointment ~
   
   The first thing you should do if you suspect that you have Adult ADD, is make an appointment with your primary care physician. Your doctor will then refer you to the proper mental health professional, or either make the diagnosis herself (or himself).

2. ~ Educate Yourself about Adult ADD ~
   
   The first step you should take in educating yourself about Adult ADD is to learn the proper terminology. Despite common misconceptions, the proper terminology for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (Adult ADD) is Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adult ADHD). People commonly refer to the condition as Adult ADD because hyperactivity symptoms are often not present in adults. It is referred to as Adult ADD in this article because most people will search the Internet using the misapplied term.
   
   Learn the correct terminology (Adult ADHD) so that you do not get confused when doing your research. You will also learn that there are three common ADHD subtypes, make sure that you pay close attention to be better informed.

3. ~ Learn the DSM-IV criteria for Adult ADD diagnosis ~
   
   Mental health professionals will utilize criteria from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in order to diagnose Adult ADD. The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association and it provides diagnostic criteria for all recognized mental disorders. The latest edition of the DSM is the DSM-IV (2001).
   
   When evaluating the DSM-IV criteria for Adult ADD, it is important that you UNDERSTAND that you are not "diagnosing" yourself, you are only educating yourself. Only a professional can make a true diagnosis, and you need to let them do their job. In other words, do not break your doctor's appointment and give up if you are starting to feel that you really do have Adult ADD when you evaluate the DSM-IV criteria.
   
   There is a link to the DSM-IV Criteria for Adult ADD below this article in the resources section.

4. ~ Be Firm with your Doctor & 100% Honest with your Mental Health Professional ~
   
   When the time comes for you to visit your doctor (step one), you will need to be frank and firm with him or her. Tell the doctor why you feel that you may have Adult ADD, and let him/her know that you have taken steps to educate yourself about the condition. Unfortunately, not all doctors are good doctors, and some will readily dismiss your suspicion if it appears that you are weak in your convictions and/or uneducated about ADHD.
   
   It is important to remember that your suspicious about Adult ADD cannot be adequately confirmed or denied unless you are totally honest with your doctor and your mental health professional.

Resources

• WebMD ADHD Symptoms
• Predominantly Inattentive - DSM-IV Adult ADHD Criteria

[2besure]

on 9/9/2009 Many adults have this! Great article!

[Rachellewms]

on 8/8/2009 qcandeleco: this would be a great topic to cover in my Adult ADD (Adult ADHD) Blog, Predominantly Inattentive: http://www.predominantlyinattentive.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the tip!

[qcandleco]

on 8/7/2009 Great article. I would love to read about treatment option for ADHD. Amphetamines, medications commonly prescribed.