ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They may ask to see old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood habits.
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 relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing physical examination. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, work and school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying 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 the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. They will then assess your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 be present in at least two different settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as 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 can include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold a job. These individuals require treatment, 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
There are differences in the way that the disorder is presented 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 means they are more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
It more info is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.