ADHD Diagnoses: It's Not As Difficult As You Think
ADHD Evaluations and DiagnosesGetting an assessment is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They might want to look at old reports and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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, at home and work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing physical examination. It is also possible to provide 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 could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more 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 suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric examination can be performed by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also go over your child's developmental, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 at least two settings that cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet the requirements 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 can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Some doctors also use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could be a long time. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at least six month.
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 set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list of preventions.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find jobs. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that more info children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
There are differences in the way the disorder is manifested by 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating 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 physician to make sure 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 reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.