ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may want to see old reports and talk to teachers, relatives or friends 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, work and at home. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and performing physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
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 determine if these symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, or in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or 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 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, at school and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior to that of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 different settings, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, 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 clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. The symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
In many cases, people who have inattention more info ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or find it difficult to keep their job. These individuals also need 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder manifests between boys and girls. 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. It is important to remind those 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.