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 physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They might want to look at old reports and speak 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and conducting a physical examination. It is also possible to mention the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow 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 are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's growth medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior with those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting 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 that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive click here 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 thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that symptoms must be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, a clinician will review 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and are often missed. But their problems do have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with peers or have difficulty to hold an occupation. They also have 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation includes the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are distinct ways in which 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.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person as well as standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.