ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers along with a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release form to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental, medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against that of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting other children.
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 and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient interview.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for details from someone who knows the patient very well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's everyday life. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often ignored. However, their problems can have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or struggle to keep an occupation. They must be treated too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer definition includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This includes a medical history review along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard scales of rating used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In getting a adhd diagnosis treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.