ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They might want to look at old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about your childhood habits.
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 school, home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical examination. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers along with a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. diagnosis for adhd in adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow 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 about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's developmental as well as medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior 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 occur in two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them an 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that could mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. 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 provider or asking a 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. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. 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 struggle to keep an occupation. These people need to be treated, too.
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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way the disorder is exhibited by 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 examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve 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 too. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.