ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might want to look at old report cards and speak to teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behaviors.
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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records, and performing physical examination. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.
adhd adult diagnosis 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 a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at work, home and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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 in home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in 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 at least two different settings, make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society'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 these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
The following is a list of preventions.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or have difficulty to find an occupation. These people need to be treated, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer version is based on the fact that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person and also standard scales of rating that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.