ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Getting a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may request old reports and speak to family members, teachers or your friends to find out 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.

A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing a physical exam. It is also possible to mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect 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 get older. 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to reduce side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with 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 assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also discuss your child's development medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against that of other children of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, like difficulty 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 a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.

If your child does not meet all of 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 could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD get more info in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is an interview with the patient.

During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can take an hour or more. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the examination with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent 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 settings, such as the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.

The following is a list with preventions.

People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs. These individuals require treatment, too.

The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version recognizes that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.

There are differences between the way the disorder is presented 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 assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This involves an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.

A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working as it should.

The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.