ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They might request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behaviors.
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 cause issues with learning and relationships at school, at home and work. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these signs. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and conducting physical exam. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but 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 are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be employed 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
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone 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 in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior against the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
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If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider 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 programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's 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 symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep jobs. These people must be treated as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The newer definition is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder presents itself 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in touch with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.