ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
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 school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and then performing physical exam. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily routine at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 at least two different settings that cause your child to perform poorly, and last for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all 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 thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start get more info 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 region. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also request details from someone who knows the patient very well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like work and home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present at least six months.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to find their job. These individuals must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used occasionally 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 includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which 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 means they are more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.