ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They might want to look at old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends 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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and at home. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these signs. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, along with physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists 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 behaviors that last for at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, or in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms match the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to that of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge 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 be present in a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. Read Even more will then complete a report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's everyday life. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at least six month.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's 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 the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find jobs. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
There are 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 it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.