ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They might request old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
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 cause issues with learning and relationships at school, at home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and completing physical examination. You can also mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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 are in line with the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting other children.
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 two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 thorough psychiatric examination can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
diagnosed with adhd is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocation'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 following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold jobs. These individuals need to be treated, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time but it's not the most common. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
There are differences between the way 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual and normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.