ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your childhood habits.
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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and performing physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at work, home and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely 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 criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out 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 ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like 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 occur in more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all of 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 could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present at least six month.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. But their problems do have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or find it difficult to find an occupation. These people 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 new definition includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some 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.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones as well as educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and website decrease the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.