Call a doctor if:
For young children who showsigns of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, watchful waiting isappropriate. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than age 5.Young children generally have short attention spans, and their normal range ofbehavior includes periods of high activity and impulsivity. If you notice anyADHD symptoms in your preschooler that do not seem age-appropriate, work withyour child to improve behavior. Keep a record of your child's behavior for 6months to see if it improves. If it continues or has consequences, such asbeing expelled from day care or preschool, talk with your doctor about havingyour child evaluated.
Watchful waiting isnot appropriate for school-age children and teens with ADHD symptoms. Childrenneed attention from a doctor if they have behavior problems that occur in morethan one setting, such as poor relationships with parents and poor academicperformance.
Problems caused by inattention may not becomesignificant until the teen years, when greater self-reliance is expected. Achange in school (such as advancing to junior high or high school) or a newenvironment (such as moving to another city) can trigger problems withinattention. If you think your child may have an inattention problem, see adoctor to find out if ADHD is the cause.
Watchful waiting may not be appropriateif you are an adult and think that you may have ADHD. Consider how long youhave experienced symptoms, and think about any major changes or difficultsituations that are affecting your life. Your symptoms may improve when youhave addressed and worked on those issues. But talk to a doctor if yoursymptoms concern you. If you have other symptoms, such asdepression or anxiety, a doctor can help diagnose andtreat your problems.
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with medicine include:
Health professionals who do not prescribe medicines but can provide behavioral therapy or family counseling include:
Ask your health professional about his or her training and experience related to ADHD. Diagnosing and treating ADHD requires an ability to identify and distinguish behaviors that can be subtle and complicated. In addition, make sure your health professional has enough time to evaluate you or your child. Accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of ADHD takes repeated office visits and observations. It is also necessary that your health professional be able to coordinate between other health professionals, family members, teachers, and caregivers.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: April 17, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Mina Dulcan, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | |
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