ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn 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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child is showing these signs. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. 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 exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms tend to 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 are in line with the guidelines 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 boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's development medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and 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 environments and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment may include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. 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 with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like the workplace and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at least six month.
During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient meets 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might underperform at private adhd diagnosis school, clash with peers or struggle to find their job. These people require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time but it's not the most popular. The newer definition is based on the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
There are some differences in the way that 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person, as well as normed rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.