ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits.
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 learning and relationships at school, work and at home. Talk to your GP when you or your child displays these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and conducting a physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following 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 a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and at school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they grow older. 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 are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also go over your child's growth medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or 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 different settings, cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If adhd diagnosing isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete 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 ask for an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they are often missed. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or have difficulty to keep their job. These people require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most common. The newer definition recognizes that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder manifests between boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.