ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about 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 also interfere with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. Talk to your GP in the event that you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally 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, looking over medical documents and your health history, and conducting physical examination. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life at home, at work, and at school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your personal and professional life. I Am Psychiatry licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social settings. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior 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, forgetting things or 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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six month.
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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These individuals require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer version takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests between 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 be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults with this condition as well. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular checks with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.