ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A medical professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will ask you and your family members close to you -- a spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about their symptoms. This will provide information that questionnaires cannot.
It is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults, since the diagnostic guidelines are specifically developed for children. It's crucial to find an ADHD professional who is willing to evaluate you.
Signs and symptoms
The first step in the process of conducting an ADHD assessment is to let the patient talk honestly and openly about his issues and how they affect his daily life. Many adults are reluctant to admit that they are having trouble paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best method to take control of symptoms and live happier and healthier lives.
The evaluator will ask the person to tell them about their personal and medical history, from childhood until now. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines for the disorder, which are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
To meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, an adult must have a history of at least six established symptoms in one or both of two main categories--inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity--for six months. The symptoms must have caused significant impairments in at least two significant settings, such as school or work. Additionally, the examiner must rule out any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment.
In addition to an interview, a doctor might employ behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptoms checklists to gather information regarding the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, visual and spatial reasoning, and working memory can aid in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Based on the specific situation doctors will often request permission to talk with those close to the person in order to offer valuable advice and support. For instance, they may request the names of parents, spouses or siblings to talk with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD evaluation. It helps rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that look similar to ADHD. The evaluator could conduct a neurological examination to determine if there's any indication of injury or damage to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator can also recommend blood and urinary tests to determine if there is other conditions that may hinder treatment. For example, depression or addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that are present in various settings, like at work, at home or at school. The symptoms should also last for a long period of time. The doctor will determine how much your symptoms affect your everyday activities. If they cause a lot of trouble, it's likely that you or your child will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
To diagnose children, doctors must follow guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview with a clinical psychologist. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric background. You will be asked questions about your child's daily mood, behavior, and productivity.
It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V symptom guide is designed towards diagnosing children. However, there is some debate over whether these criteria are still applicable to adulthood. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis, an adult must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentive ADHD or 7 or more symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. These symptoms must be present for a long time and must interfere with daily functioning at school, work, or home.
Your doctor may also request additional tests in addition to the clinical interview to determine the severity and severity of your symptoms or that of your child. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can help rule out an illness that causes similar symptoms, such as learning disabilities or depression.
Asking your family doctor to recommend you to an expert who will evaluate your ADHD or that of your child is an excellent place to begin. You can also call your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists covered under your plan who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also contact a local support group and ask for recommendations. You can also call a medical school or university-based hospital to get a list of professionals that perform ADHD evaluations.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious issues at work and in school and interfere with relationships. If you're diagnosed with ADHD and taking medication to improve your performance can reduce symptoms. People suffering from ADHD also may need to make lifestyle changes for example, adjusting the time of their sleep and using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
Anyone suffering from ADHD must see their primary care provider, psychiatrist or both to receive an assessment. During this in-person interview, the practitioner will cover issues such as development as well as family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and concerns. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they have problems with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when and where they started, and the amount of distress they cause.
The evaluator is likely to need to talk to other people in the life of the patient, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults and coaches, teachers or daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot, such as the way that a person may stop tasks halfway or forgets things and what types of situations cause symptoms.
Many different behavioral therapies and medications are used to treat ADHD. The medications can include stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs improve blood flow to the brain, suppress the impulsive behavior of people and enable them to pay more focus and follow instructions. The drugs can be taken intravenously or orally, and they are generally well tolerated.
In addition to medications Therapy can help those with ADHD discover strategies to compensate for their issues. Therapists can assist people in learning how to manage their lives, manage their appointments, and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the effect ADHD symptoms can have on work and family life. Marriage and family therapy is a great method to address the problems caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach coping skills and help resolve conflicts that might arise.
Medication
For a medical professional to identify ADHD it is necessary to evaluate many things. They will inquire with your child about their symptoms at school, home and in other places. They may also employ scales and questionnaires that are specifically designed for ADHD. They might also inquire about the family history. They will also look for other conditions that could explain the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and whether they affect your child's daily life.
There is no physical test that can determine ADHD. This includes X-rays and blood tests. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are designed for children aged 4-18 years old. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. This is due to the fact that a person's adhd diagnosis in adults symptoms may change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must show six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must have been present for at least six months. If your child is being assessed for ADHD it is recommended that they be questioned by a person who is familiar with them. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily activities and how they compare to other children of their age.
Medication is the most popular method of treating ADHD. Both stimulant and nonstimulant medication can be prescribed to treat ADHD. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants. These drugs balance and increase levels of certain brain chemical. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for those who are unable to take stimulant medication due to health issues or serious adverse reactions. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.