ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask to see old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing an examination. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists 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. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms tend 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. They will also discuss your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to focus, 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 occur in two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them an 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 evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that more info they will require treatment with medication 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 begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer 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 employ computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like work and home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association's 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: trouble paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list of preventions.
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or struggle to hold an occupation. These people also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used however it is not the most common. The newer definition recognizes that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it 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 ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular checks with their healthcare providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.