ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask for old reports and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behaviors.

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, consult a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.

A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and conducting an exam. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents 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 a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your life at home at work, or in school.

Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet 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 the home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, like difficulty paying 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 different settings that make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.

If your child does not meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is check here an interview with the patient.

During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask for details from someone who knows the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.

It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to that the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out 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 supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.

Prevention

People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated.

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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version recognizes that children might only have symptoms of inattention.

There are differences between the way the disorder is exhibited 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well as well as standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.

It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

People who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.

Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.