Are you confused by which healthcare professional to see if you suspect that you have ADHD? Unlocking ADHD writer Indhu Jayabaskaran learns about the role that the various healthcare professionals play in an ADHD diagnosis.
A general practitioner (GP) is a medical doctor who provides care for a broad range of medical conditions. They are usually the first doctor you see when you go to a clinic or a hospital. If specific help is needed, they will refer you to see a specialist. In Singapore, in order to have subsidized treatment at a restructured hospital, the first step is usually to see a GP in a polyclinic. After reviewing the patient’s symptoms, age and history, a referral will be given to see a specialist in a restructured hospital. For children, the referral may be given to see a pediatrician to assess and diagnose. For adults, the referral may be given to see a psychiatrist or psychologist.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in mental health. They can evaluate both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems, provide a diagnosis and prescribe medication or other treatments if necessary. In ADHD diagnosis, the psychiatrist will conduct clinical interviews, where they speak to the patient and someone who has been with or taken care of the patient since young. From there, they can choose to prescribe medication to help the patient. However, medication alone is not as effective. Going to a psychologist for help along with medication has shown to be the most successful method in managing ADHD.
A psychologist is someone with an advanced degree in psychology. They can perform various clinical assessments to fully assess the situation. These tests may be used to determine the intellectual and executive function abilities of the patient to come to an accurate conclusion. From there, they may suggest different forms of therapy, such as talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage ADHD.
