ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They might want to look at old report cards and speak to family members, teachers or classmates 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. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at home, at work or school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to manifest 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 match the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's development, medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with those of other children their age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty 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 environments, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to rule get more info out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your 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 programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an examination is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present at least six month.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or struggle to keep their job. They require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most common. The new definition includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are some differences in the manner in which 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 increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.