ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak to teachers, relatives or 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 also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing physical exam. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting other children.
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, cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and 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 someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present at least six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
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 version recognizes that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests between 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.