ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They might request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your 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 also interfere with learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and conducting a physical examination. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, at work or school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms are more likely 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. They will also discuss your child's developmental, medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting others.
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 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 does not meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination click here to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect 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 prompted the appointment. The clinician will also request details from someone who knows the patient well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with 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 least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. But their problems do have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or have difficulty to hold their job. These people need to be treated, too.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation is based on the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are some differences in the way that the disorder is manifested 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 assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.