ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They might request old reports and talk to teachers, family members 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 also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and conducting physical examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. These include looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release form to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines 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 environments. They will also go over your child's development medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty 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 two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development 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, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD it get more info is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is a patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request 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 adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work and home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold an occupation. These individuals must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used frequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests 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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This includes an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person as well as standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.