ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They might want to look at old report cards 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, home and work. Talk to your GP in the event that 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 specialists, if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing an examination. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may 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 could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out 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 about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. They will also discuss your child's developmental, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 problems, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health 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 tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The physician will then write a report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient is in compliance with 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types 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 keep a job. These individuals must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used frequently 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 name recognizes that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
There are differences between the way the disorder is presented by 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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales, both by loved ones as well as teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.