ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.
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 home, school and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help 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 patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for details about the issue from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral 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. Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect 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. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time, but it is not the most popular. The newer version takes into account that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well as well as standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
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 cases the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. adult diagnosis of adhd should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.