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 physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn 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 also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical examination. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents 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 a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at work, home and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they get older. 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 commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's developmental, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior 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 settings, cause your child to function poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child does not meet 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 assessment may include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient-patient interview.
During an here interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present at minimum six months.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 least three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or have difficulty to find a job. These people 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 definition recognizes that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way the disorder is exhibited by 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.