ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about 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. adult adhd diagnosis uk can also interfere with learning and relationships at home, school and work. 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 refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and performing physical exam. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They will look for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, at work or school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who has 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 receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's development, medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to those of children who are his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and interrupting other people.
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 that make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child isn't meeting 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination 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 teachers and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold an occupation. These people need to 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder manifests 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, and normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.