ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask for old reports and speak to teachers, relatives or 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 at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. It is also possible to provide the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using 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 determine if these symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, or in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may 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 concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's development as well as medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, 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 at least six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. adhd undiagnosed in adults 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 doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact a person's life. The symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the 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: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to hold a job. They also have to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which 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 them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.