ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
Signs and symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Consult your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and performing an examination. You can also discuss your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms are in line with the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric evaluation can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. how to diagnose adhd in adults , development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, and interrupting others.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must occur in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child is not able to meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them an unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek details from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer name is based on the fact that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an understanding of the person, and normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.