ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They might request old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behaviors.
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 cause issues with relationships and learning at home, school and at work. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child is showing these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend 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 then performing an examination. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms tend to 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 requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (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 assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior against that of other children his age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people.
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 a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not 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 could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough 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 heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During adhd diagnosis in adult , the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significant in two major settings such as at work and at 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 discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily missed. However, their problems can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or have difficulty to find their job. They require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most popular. The newer definition is based on the fact that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences in the way the disorder is presented by 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well and also standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also stay contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.