ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may want to see old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about 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. These symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at home, school and work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and completing an examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults may 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth 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 inquire regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty 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 that make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history more info of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment.
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 like the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend much time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that the symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. In order 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 mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association'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 following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily ignored. However, their issues can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with peers or have difficulty to find a job. These people require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time however it is not the most commonly used. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children could suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
There are some differences in the manner in which 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 makes them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults with a good understanding of the individual and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also remain contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.