ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behaviors.
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 can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and then performing physical exam. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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 inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely 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. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also go over your child's development, medical history and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring things and 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 different settings, make your child perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 evaluation can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer 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-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting 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 go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with 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 is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making 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 to be distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. However, how to diagnosis adhd can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or struggle to keep a job. These individuals need to be treated, as well.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are differences between the way that 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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales, both by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.