ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may ask for old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates about 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 can also interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.

A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and performing an examination. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment may also mention 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 assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, or at school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, 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 are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 settings, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.

If your child is not able to meet all of 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.

A complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview.

During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend much time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.

It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they satisfy 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 five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.

Prevention

In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they are often ignored. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or struggle to keep an occupation. They need to be treated, as well.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most common. The new definition includes the fact that children could suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.

There are differences in the way the disorder is exhibited 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales, both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.

It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should.

Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.