ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may want to see old report cards and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at work, school and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and performing an exam. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists 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. This includes looking for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at work, home 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 may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth 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 home, school and social environments. They will also go over your child's development as well as medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 at least two settings and cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will also consider 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, he or she might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main situations, including home and work. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of website ADHD must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or struggle to find an occupation. They also have to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer name takes into account that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.