ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may ask for old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about your childhood habits.
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 interfere with learning and relationships at school, at home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical examination. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more likely to 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 your adult symptoms match the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. how to diagnose adhd , such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive 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 go over your child's growth medical history and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are his age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, like difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least six months.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with their peers, or struggle to find their job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
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 have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some variations in the way that 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person, as well as normed rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.