ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.
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 can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. Consult your GP when you or your child displays these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing a physical exam. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to that of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet 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 tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not 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 least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or find it difficult to find a job. They require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer version is based on the fact that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are some differences in the way the disorder is presented by 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed scales of rating completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also stay contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
Stimulant website drugs are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.