ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled 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 learn about your childhood behaviors.
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 relationships and learning at work, school and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing an examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention 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 can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms tend to 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 your adult symptoms meet the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (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 assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior with that of other children of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting other children.
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 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 isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. 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 insurer or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the consultation, more info the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and are often missed. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or have difficulty to keep their job. They require treatment, too.
The term ADD is still used infrequently 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 is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way the disorder is manifested 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 increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include a medical history review along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well as well as standard rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.