ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may want to see old reports and speak to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can cause issues with learning and relationships at home, school and at work. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child is showing these signs. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They will look for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your life at home, at work or school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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 your adult symptoms match the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. I Am Psychiatry boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out 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 inquire regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth, medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 different settings, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and your family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your 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 names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established 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 is based on at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition recognizes that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder manifests 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.