Living with a mental health disorder is not easy. No matter how widespread it may get, battling your inner demons is a different kind of war, one thatPhysician Diagnose you cannot win. It can leave you rattled from deep within, which can then slowly start affecting your day-to-day lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you’re barely showing any symptoms or are already knee-deep in its destructive pattern; getting a proper diagnosis for ADHD is crucial.
However, most people are afraid of getting an actual diagnosis simply because of the high costs of a psychologist. But did you know that your primary care physician can also diagnose you with ADHD? In this blog, you will find out just how that works and more.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, ADD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental disorder that commonly affects children, but it can also manifest itself in adults. Typically, ADHD can be identified through its symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
It’s a serious mental condition that can lead to major setbacks in your academic as well as professional life. Not to mention, ADHD is known for causing poor self-esteem in a person, which can enhance their sensitivity.
It is also important to note that ADHD affects boys and girls very differently. While boys are more hyperactive and impulsive, girls internalize their symptoms. This can cause inactivity and low self-worth to fester in them from a very young age.
Can a Primary Care Physician Diagnose ADHD?
Yes, a primary care physician is more than qualified to diagnose you or your child with ADHD. There are different protocols and test schedules for different age groups, ensuring all criteria are met correctly.
For instance, if an adult wants to be tested, the primary care physician will ask about their behavior as a child and gain as much knowledge about their childhood as possible. They might also reach out to the patient’s family, friends, and loved ones for an interview to get a clearer idea.
From report cards and class transcripts to personal records, they will read through it all before finalizing their diagnosis. Similarly, for kids, they will ask for all their records to better analyze their situation.
Tips to Approach Your Primary Doctor With ADHD
Unfortunately, not everyone gets diagnosed with ADHD during their childhood. Whether it’s because of a lack of resources or masked symptoms, living with something as pressing as ADHD, that too in silence, can be extremely rough.
However, in adulthood, undiagnosed ADHD can cause much more damage. Primary care physicians are much better equipped to handle such situations.
Not only do they know you on a deeper level, but they want you to prosper and heal as best as possible. So, even if it can be frustrating and cause your life to be turned upside down, proper diagnoses can be essential when it comes to ADHD.
Here are some ways you can approach your primary care provider if you think you have symptoms related to ADHD:
- If you feel like there are incidents or certain habits that are disruptive to your lifestyle, make sure to mention that, especially if it interferes with work, school, home, etc.
- Not everyone with ADHD has hyperactivity. While some do, others aren’t as affected by it. If there is a constant shift in your mood and methods, though, let your primary care doctor know about it.
- If you have been previously diagnosed with another mental health disorder, but aren’t feeling its symptoms as intensely or at all, tell your doctor about this as well. Contrast it with other things in your daily routine you have picked up, which may seem out of the ordinary.
Final Takeaway
To put it shortly, a primary care physician can diagnose you with ADHD and provide further assistance on the matter. To get more details on a reliable PCP, contact PCP For Life at (281) 968-4096.
