ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.
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 relationships and learning at home, school and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists 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 exam. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in 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, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however 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 could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (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 an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at home, school and social environments. They will also discuss your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 at least two environments that cause your child to function poorly, and last for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's everyday life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the 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 the five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.
The following is a list of preventions.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version recognizes that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way that 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 means they are more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales, both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and here parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.