Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that impacts children and adults around the world. Surprisingly, doctors have not been diagnosing it for long, and it can be easily misunderstood. This means that there are children and adults who are living with ADHD, a condition that can greatly influence their lives, that do not know it. Getting a diagnosis, or having a diagnosis excluded, is an important part of managing ADHD.
In this article, we will address the benefits of an ADHD diagnosis and how it can affect your life.
The Effects of ADHD
ADHD comes with a range of symptoms and people may experience these symptoms differently. While some associated symptoms can be minor inconveniences, others can cause more wide ranging difficulties socially, mentally, and professionally. ADHD is often associated with impulsivity, which can lead to poor decision making. It can also make it difficult to concentrate, making it hard for individuals to pay attention in school or at work.
What happens when ADHD is not treated
Since an ADHD diagnosis is the only way to gain access to the full range of treatment options, it is important to understand what happens when ADHD is left untreated. Untreated ADHD is associated with many difficulties including substance abuse, gambling addiction, video game addiction, higher divorce rates, difficulty performing in school and work, a higher chance of unemployment, and more. A lot of the time, people who face these struggles do not understand what is happening. When they receive the diagnosis, it tends to help them understand many of their most difficult challenges.
Creating A Sense of Understanding
The most important benefit of taking an assessment for ADHD is to gain greater understanding of yourself or your child. Many people learn that certain problems that they thought they would always have to live with are, in fact, treatable. Once you have a diagnosis, or a diagnosis has been excluded for you, you will be able to work with professionals to determine the right approach for treatment. Depending on your symptoms, personal preferences, and environmental factors, different forms of treatment might be preferable, including medication, talk therapy, coaching, nutrition, and many other options.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD, or finding out that you do not have ADHD, is the start of many positive changes in your or your child’s life. It allows you to create a sense of understanding and allows you to take control of your life. If you believe you may have ADHD and would like to start creating a plan, you can use our online platform, available 24/7, to receive an evaluation for yourself or your child. Our assessment also includes screening for anxiety and depression, all provided by a doctorate-level psychologist, so that you can begin working on treatment with your doctor immediately.
