ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask for old report cards and talk to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors.
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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and completing a physical exam. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers and a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 meet the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. 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 like ADHD must adhere to 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 will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child isn't meeting the requirements 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling how to get diagnosed with adhd uk as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. The symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and are often missed. But their problems do have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to hold their job. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder presents itself 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are used by loved ones and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.