ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak to teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behavior.
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 displays these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records and conducting an examination. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, and physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
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 will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms tend 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized 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 at least two environments and cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider 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 complete psychiatric examination can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's daily life. The symptoms have to be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. diagnosed with adhd as an adult must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the person meets 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. However, their problems can have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or struggle to find their job. These individuals must be treated as well.
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 is based on the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are differences in the manner in which the disorder is presented 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales, both by loved ones as well as educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.