ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your 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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. If adult adhd diagnosis uk or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and performing an examination. You can also mention the history of your family's 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 could include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow 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. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to 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 situations. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in 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 doesn't meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 evaluation may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. 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 could be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health support group, such as 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, like continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that symptoms must be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These people also need 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation is based on the fact that children could suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder manifests itself 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 reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This includes a clinical interview, 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 patient well, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.