ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
getting a diagnosis for adhd can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records, and performing physical examination. It is also possible to discuss the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest 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 your adult symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth 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, at school and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's developmental as well as medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure 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 be present in at least two different settings and cause your child to function poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local 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 make use of computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. However, their issues can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with peers or have difficulty to hold an occupation. These people also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version is based on the fact that children can have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are variations in the way that 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 makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.