ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they 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, reviewing your medical history and health records, and performing an examination. You can also provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists 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 hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If IamPsychiatry meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms, 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 be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be reviewed. They will then assess your child's behavior with those of other children of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting other children.
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 disruption, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 complete psychiatric examination could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of 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 consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who knows the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 is based on at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold an occupation. These individuals must be treated as well.
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 version is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the way that 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 makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This involves an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.