ADHD Diagnoses: What's No One Has Discussed
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may ask to see old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your 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 learning and relationships at work, school and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and then performing an examination. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
adult adhd diagnosis and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then assess your child's behaviors to those of other children who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as 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, cause your child to perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional may 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking the 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 tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient such as 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 thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like home and work. For ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present at minimum six months.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association'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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or find it difficult to keep their job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The newer version takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person, as well as normed ratings scales that are used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular checks with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.