ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They might want to look at old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about 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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and then performing physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms are affecting your life at home, at work or school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more 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 adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 at least two settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could diagnose them with 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will 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 could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
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 individual and family counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present for at least six month.
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 Society's 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 the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find jobs. They need to be treated, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer version is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by read more family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning as they should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.