ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They might request old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.
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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
adhd diagnosis in adults can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and performing an exam. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. They will also go over your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for an extensive history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your 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 a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods 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 results with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's 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, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to hold jobs. 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version takes into account that children can have symptoms of inattention.
There are differences between the way the disorder is manifested 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.