ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may ask to see old reports and speak to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your childhood behaviors.
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 relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing an examination. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your life at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within 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 in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. sell will also review your child's development medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them 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 evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking your 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 make use of computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the 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 clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out 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 least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find jobs. They need to be treated, 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 includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are some differences in 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 increases the likelihood that they will be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales, both by loved ones as well as educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.