ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood habits.
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 interfere with relationships and learning at school, home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and completing physical examination. You can also provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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 look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms affect your life at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and 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 life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behaviors, 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child does not 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. 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 area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Association'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 these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or find it difficult to keep their job. They require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time but it's not the most commonly used. The newer version is based on the fact that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how 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 it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. adult adhd diagnosis uk involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.