ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They may request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.
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 interfere with relationships and learning at home, school and at work. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing an 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 complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
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 behaviors that last for at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's growth medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with that of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least 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 website 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 can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer 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 for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long 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 vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they are often missed. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or struggle to keep their job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
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 definition includes the fact that children can be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests itself 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 seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well and also standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.