ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may request old reports and speak to family members, teachers or friends to get information 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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Speak to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records, and performing a physical exam. You can also provide the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include a description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. adhd diagnosis uk adults can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, 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 adhere to 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 ask questions regarding your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. They will also discuss your child's development, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 examination can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with their peers, or struggle to find an occupation. They also have to be treated with respect.
The term ADD is still used infrequently 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 the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are variations in the way that 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health 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 parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well, as well as normed rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.