ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may ask for old reports and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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 can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing physical examination. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely to 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 match the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then assess your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people.
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 a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral 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. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or find it difficult to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself 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 be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales completed both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular checks with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.