ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors.
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. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing physical examination. You can also discuss your family's history of ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at home, at work or school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. adhd diagnosis uk adults , like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. They will also review your child's growth medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific 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 settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet the criteria to qualify 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for an extensive history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led 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 speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend much time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing 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 or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find jobs. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder presents itself between 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 makes them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales, both by family members and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also stay in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working in the way they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.