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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits.
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. These symptoms can cause issues with learning and relationships at school, at home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records and completing physical examination. You can also provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, or in school.
Adults may 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 match the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. They will then assess your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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 environments, cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis 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 could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can 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 expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or 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. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. I Am Psychiatry is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two major 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 doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when being talked to or 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 can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find a job. These people must be treated too.
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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
There are differences in the way 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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include a medical history review along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales completed both by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.
