ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may want to see old report cards and talk to teachers, relatives or 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 interfere with learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and conducting a physical exam. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, or in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely 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 guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting others.
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 dysfunction, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. how to get a diagnosis for adhd might also request a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin 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. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work and home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present at least six month.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep an occupation. These people require treatment, as well.
The term ADD is still used infrequently 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 recognizes 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.