ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behavior.
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. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
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 performing a physical exam. It is also possible to discuss the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
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. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, at work or school.
Adults can 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 meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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 assessment, 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 developmental, medical history and family history. 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, such as 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 two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider 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 evaluation could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may 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 must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The doctor will also get more info interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can be a long time. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. The symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and are often ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These people must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition recognizes that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences between the manner in which the disorder is exhibited 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales completed both by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning.
A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.