ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your childhood habits.
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 work. Talk to your GP if you or your child displays these signs. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using 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 at least six months and determining if these symptoms are affecting your life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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 your adult symptoms match the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or 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 different settings, cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 thorough psychiatric assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. I Am Psychiatry will check your child's blood pressure and complete 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 ask for a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can 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 area. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as 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 assessment.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. The symptoms must be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric 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 must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with peers or find it difficult to hold an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used frequently 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 designation takes into account the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder presents 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 receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales completed both by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.