ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your 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 cause problems with relationships and learning at home, school and work. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and conducting a physical examination. You may also mention 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 evaluation. The evaluation could include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, 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. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner 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 requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or 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 Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behaviors to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behaviors, 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 be present in at least two environments and make your child perform poorly and last 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 thorough psychiatric assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also seek details from someone who knows the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventions.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep an occupation. These individuals need to be treated, too.
The term ADD is still used frequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes more info the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales, both by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.