ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your 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 also interfere with learning and relationships at home, school and work. Speak to your GP if you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and completing an examination. You can also provide the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present 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 are in line with the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults with 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 lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with those of children who are his age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 a minimum of six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request details about the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also ask for information from someone who knows the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can be a long time. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including work and home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at least six months.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with check here their peers, or struggle to keep their job. These people must be treated as well.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation is based on the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some differences in how 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.