ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may want to see old reports and speak 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 school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and then performing an exam. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely present 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 match the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from 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 to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines set forth 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, in school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's developmental, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of children who are their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and 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 be present in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting 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 can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). how to diagnosis adhd adhddiagnosis may also ask for a detailed history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking a 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 performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
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 laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most common. The newer definition takes into account the fact that children can be affected by inattention symptoms 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.