ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask for old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends 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, talk to a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records and completing an examination. It is also possible to mention the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely present 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 adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can 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 in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental as well as medical history and family history. They will then assess your child's behaviors to those of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty in 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 at least two environments, cause your child to perform poorly, and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also request details from someone who knows the patient well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the 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: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. But their problems do result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or have difficulty to hold an occupation. These people also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time however it is not the most commonly used. The newer definition recognizes that children may check here only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences in the manner in which 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include a medical history review along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales, both by family members and educators. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.