ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might request old reports and speak to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your 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 work, school and at home. Consult your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and conducting an examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can 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 a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental, medical history and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with that of other children his age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty in 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 occur in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out 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 teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by 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. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also ask 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 that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write 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 depend on the extent to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major situations, including home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out 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 supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. These individuals require treatment, too.
The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
There are some differences in the manner in which the disorder is presented by 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 increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well and also standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue like depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. adhd in adults undiagnosed and children with inattentive ADHD might 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 doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.