ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your 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, work and home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You may also provide the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity 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 in the same manner, but their symptoms tend 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria 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 review your child's development as well as medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, 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, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial read more part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can be a long time. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview the clinician 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 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 such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used however it is not the most commonly used. The newer definition is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to 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 it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults with this condition as well. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.