ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They may ask for old reports and speak to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behavior.
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 cause problems with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting an examination. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the 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 adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at work, home and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely to 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 your adult symptoms match the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the problem from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors 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 crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep a job. These people must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well and also standard rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working as they should.
getting a adhd diagnosis for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.