ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behavior.
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. The symptoms also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing an examination. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, 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 patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more likely to 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to minimize the risk of side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also go over your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, like difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 be present in at least two settings that cause your child to function poorly, and last 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider 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. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established 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 must be supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. read more They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to keep an occupation. These people also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are some differences in the way the disorder is manifested by 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This involves an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well and also standard rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.