ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may request old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.
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 work, school and home. Consult your GP if you or your child exhibits these signs. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing physical examination. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more likely to 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must adhere to 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 assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also go over 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 their age. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to focus, 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 a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main environments, like the workplace and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and mental health 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 is based on at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to 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.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. However, their issues can have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with peers or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The newer version takes into account that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences in the way that the disorder is presented 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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones as well as educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working as they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may read more need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.