ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an assessment is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may want to see old reports and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about 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. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. Talk to your GP when you or your child exhibits these signs. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You may also provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they grow older. 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 may be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay 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 settings, make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not 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 thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. how to diagnose adhd must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocation's 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 symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or struggle to hold a job. These individuals need to be treated, too.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition includes the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are 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 will go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good understanding of the individual and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue like depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.