ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may ask for old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about your childhood habits.
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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and conducting a physical examination. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms tend to manifest 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in extended-release form 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, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth as well as medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to those of children who are his age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 and cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months.
If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and complete 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 teachers and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental 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 performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During an interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact a person's life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often 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 find their job. These individuals require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used but it's not the most common. The newer designation includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are read more common to all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder manifests itself 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well and also standard rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working in the way they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.