ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. 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 that is structured to look into your history. They might request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your 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 learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk 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 required.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and then performing physical exam. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among 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 patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms tend 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria 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, in school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against the behavior of other children their age. adhd uk diagnosis can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, 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 settings, cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your 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. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be significant in two main settings, such as 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, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the 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 these five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep an occupation. These people require treatment, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time but it's not the most common. The newer definition is based on the fact that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
There are differences between the way that the disorder is presented 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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. 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 or other adults who know the person and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also stay in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.