ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. diagnosing adhd in adults ADHD Diagnosis may ask for old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behaviors.
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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing an examination. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, 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 evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's development, medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform 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 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 recognizes that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests 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 makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness 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 on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.