ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak with 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and conducting an examination. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's growth, medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They can use standard rating scales to 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 settings and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as work and home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at least six months.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
diagnosing adhd in adults ADHD Diagnosis who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep a job. They require treatment, too.
The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person and also standard rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working in the way they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.