ADHD Diagnoses Isn't As Difficult As You Think
ADHD Evaluations and DiagnosesMaking a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They might want to look at old report cards and speak to teachers, relatives or friends 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at home, school and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and conducting physical exam. You can also provide the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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 will look for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet 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 evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's growth as well as medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to focus, forgetting about 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 occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems, and have been present for at least website six months.
If your child doesn't meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company 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 employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like the workplace 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 clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society'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 and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with classmates or find it difficult to keep a job. These individuals must be treated as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time, but it is not the most popular. The newer name recognizes that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences between the manner in which the disorder is manifested 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 means they are more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones as well as teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.