ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may want to see old reports and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.
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 school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records and completing physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. ADHD Diagnosis improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at the home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and 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 perform poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all of 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is a patient-patient interview.
During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in 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 clinician will go over the patient's medical and mental health 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily missed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep a job. These individuals require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most popular. The newer definition includes the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
There are differences between the manner in which 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 be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.