ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They might want to look at old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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 learning and relationships at work, school and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and conducting an examination. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers along with physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can 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 may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During how to get diagnosed with adhd in adults will ask questions about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's development medical and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with that of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 environments that make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria 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 thorough psychiatric examination can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also request details from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society'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: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold jobs. They also have to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used but it's not the most common. The newer designation is based on the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.