ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may want to see old reports and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.
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. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and then performing an examination. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, 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 set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as 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 clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's 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 such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they check here speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily missed. But their problems do result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with peers or have difficulty to find an occupation. These people also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition is based on the fact that children can be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests between 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. This increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales, both by family members and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also stay in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.