ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information 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 home, school and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and conducting a physical examination. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults may also 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out 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 evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's development 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 use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems like difficulty 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 be present in at least two environments and cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek how to get a diagnosis for add out someone 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 a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient 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 is based on at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used frequently 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 designation takes into account the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are differences between 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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the person as well as standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.