ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behavior.
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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and then performing an examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, 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 specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's developmental medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people.
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 at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria to qualify 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request an extensive history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like 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 set 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 details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find jobs. They also have to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used but it's not the most common. The newer version takes into account that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. how to diagnose adhd involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.