ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behaviors.
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 can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. Speak to your GP if you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records, and performing physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms tend 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 your adult symptoms match the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. 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 side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting other children.
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 that cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional may 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is a patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least read more six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often ignored. But their problems do result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or find it difficult to hold their job. These people also need to be treated.
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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version is based on the fact that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the person and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.