ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They might request old reports and speak to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.
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 school, work and home. Talk to your GP when you or your child displays these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting an examination. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.
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 hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely present 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment is performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. They will also review your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often missed. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or have difficulty to hold their job. They must be treated as well.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention.
There are differences between 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, and normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.