ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or your friends to find out 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 at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records, and performing an examination. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at home, school and social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against that of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 be present in at least two environments and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask adult diagnosis of adhd teachers and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental health 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 performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. The symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present at least six months.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set 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 is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or have difficulty to find a job. These people also need to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used infrequently, 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 is based on the fact that children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder presents itself 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 seek treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the person, as well as normed rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.