ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members 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 work, school and at home. Consult your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and conducting an examination. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description 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 can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. These include looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms 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 take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines set forth 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 regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems 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 be present in a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child is not able to meet the criteria to qualify 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 assessment may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. adhd diagnostic will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 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 insurer or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. The symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find jobs. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name recognizes that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are distinct ways in which the disorder manifests 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person, as well as normed scales of rating that are completed by family members and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working in the way they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.