ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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 work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and conducting physical examination. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, or in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as 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 occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not 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 doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the exam 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 symptoms have to be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health 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 Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with classmates or struggle to hold a 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are 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 increases the likelihood that they will be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well as well as standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also remain check here in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.