ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may want to see old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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. These symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at school, home and at work. Talk to your GP if you or your child displays these signs. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
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 will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at work, home and school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth 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 settings. They will also go over your child's developmental as well as medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behaviors, like difficulty 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 occur in more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and examine 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. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and your family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who knows the patient very well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can take an hour or more. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at least six months.
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 Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often overlooked. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or struggle to keep a job. These people must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used frequently 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 definition takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are some differences in the way the disorder is exhibited 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 it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. adult adhd diagnosis uk should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular checks with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.