ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They might want to look at old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, at home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and completing physical examination. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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 at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your family life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults can also 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 may be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must follow certain 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 an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth as well as medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with that of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring 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 at least two environments, make your child perform poorly, and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment may also request an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start 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 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 programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including the workplace and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at minimum 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 outlined 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 least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or struggle to find a job. They need to be treated, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time but it's not the most common. The newer definition is based on the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder manifests itself 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good understanding of the person, and normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.