ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information 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. The symptoms also may interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and at home. Consult your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
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 a physical exam. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
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 patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms tend 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 may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal lives. 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 follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be studied. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like 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 be present in at least two environments, cause your child to perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child is not able to 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 could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and your family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health 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 make use of computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who knows the patient well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at minimum six months.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient 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 is based on at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. But their problems do result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or find it difficult to hold an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The newer definition takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences in the way that the disorder is exhibited by boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. adhd uk diagnosis ADHD Diagnosis makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This includes an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales, both by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.