ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about 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 can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They can't formally 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 whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You can also provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help 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 evaluate whether these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they age. 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 can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria 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 about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's growth, medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 at least two different settings that make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as 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 of your child and your family. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking a 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 use computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or find it difficult to hold their job. They need to be treated, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time but it's not the most popular. The newer version takes into account that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between 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 means they are more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.