ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may ask for old reports and speak with teachers, relatives or 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 also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Speak to your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and completing an examination. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, or in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 match the requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against the behavior of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, 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 be present in at least two different settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive 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 insurance company or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. diagnosed with adhd use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work 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 doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. But their problems do result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with their peers, or find it difficult to find an occupation. These people need to be treated, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The newer version recognizes that children can have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests itself 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 increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning.
A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.