ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may want to see old report cards and speak with 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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow 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 match the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or interrupting other people.
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 different settings and cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If diagnosis for adhd doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can 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 employ computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is a patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take an hour or more. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that symptoms must be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation's 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 the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. But their problems do result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or struggle to find a job. These people require treatment, too.
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 version is based on the fact that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder presents 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.