ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They might want to look at old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates about your childhood habits.
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 learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely present 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. how is adhd diagnosed in adults ADHD Diagnosis will also review your child's development as well as medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to that of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things and 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 be present in at least two environments that make your child perform poorly, and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company 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 region. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also request details from someone who knows the patient well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep jobs. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The new definition includes the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This involves a medical history review along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the person, and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones as well as teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.