ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to learn 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 relationships and learning at school, at home and work. Talk to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical examination. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) 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 regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also go over your child's development, medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with those of children who are their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or 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 occur in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria to qualify 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request details about the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, check here such as continuous performance tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who knows the patient very well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write a report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. The symptoms have to be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the disorder 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 person meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to find an occupation. These people 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 version takes into account that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
There are some differences in the manner in which 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 them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well as well as standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also stay in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.