ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak with teachers, relatives or 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 cause problems with learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but 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 guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to 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 regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be studied. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in 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 occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six (6) 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local 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 use computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the check here symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main situations, including home and work. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present at least six month.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health 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 ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to find jobs. They also have to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version takes into account that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working in the way they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.