ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A medical professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will ask you and people close to you -- such as your spouse, sibling or a friend for adults -- about the symptoms. This may provide information that questionnaires are not able to provide.

Finding out if you have ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge since the diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It is essential to find an ADHD specialist who is willing to assess you.

Symptoms

The first step in the process of conducting an ADHD evaluation is to have the patient openly and openly about the symptoms and how to be diagnosed with adhd in adults they impact his daily life. Adults might not want to admit they have trouble paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks. But getting an accurate diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a more enjoyable life.

The evaluator asks the person to provide details about their medical and personal history from childhood to the present. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care for the condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

To meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, an adult must have a history of at least six established symptoms in one or both of two main categories--inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity--for six months. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two major environments, such as work or school. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out other disorders that may cause the same symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual disability.

A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to gather information about the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functioning skills and visual and spatial reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission based on the circumstances to speak with family members or friends who may offer valuable advice and help. For instance, they may ask for the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to interview them about the individual's issues at home and at work.

A physical examination is typically part of an ADHD evaluation. It could help rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid issues and seizures can trigger symptoms that look a lot like ADHD. The evaluator could also perform an examination of the brain to determine if there are symptoms of injury or damage to the brain that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator can also recommend blood and urinary tests to determine if there are any other conditions that might affect treatment. For example depression, the use of alcohol or drugs.

Diagnosis

In diagnosing adhd in adults ADHD the doctor will be looking for signs that are present in different situations, such as at home, school, or work. The symptoms must also persist for a long time. The doctor will determine how much your symptoms impact your daily life. If they cause a lot of trouble, it's likely that you or your child will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.

To diagnose children, doctors must follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine the child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will include an overview of your child's medical, family, and psychiatric history. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior impacts their mood, behavior and productivity.

It is more difficult to diagnose adults. The DSM-V is designed to diagnose children. There is some debate about whether the criteria still apply in adulthood. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis, an adult must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentive ADHD or 7 or more symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. They must be suffering from these symptoms for an extended period of time and must be able to hinder their daily life at school, home, or work.

Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor could conduct other tests to determine severity of your child's symptoms. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can help rule out conditions that are similar to depressive or learning disabilities.

To find an expert to evaluate your your child's ADHD begin by asking your family doctor for an appointment. You can also call your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists covered under your plan who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also reach out to a local group of support and request recommendations. You can also contact the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school to get a list of professionals who conduct ADHD evaluations.

Treatment

The signs of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and at work, and interfere with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can help improve functioning and decrease symptoms. Patients with ADHD may also need to adjust their lifestyle, such as altering their sleep schedules using daily planners, or increasing exercise.

A person with ADHD must be assessed by their primary care physician or an expert in mental health. During the in-person interview an expert will discuss issues like the development of the person, their family history, lifestyle and the current symptoms. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they have problems with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They'll be interested in knowing how the symptoms have lasted on, the location and time they first began and the amount of distress or issues they create.

The evaluator may need to talk to other people who are in the patient's life for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers or daycare providers for children. These people often provide insight that questionnaires can't provide for example, the way that a person may stop tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, and what situations cause symptoms.

Many behavioral therapies and medications are used to treat ADHD. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant medications like dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs increase blood flow to the brain, reducing impulsive behavior and allow people to pay more focus and follow instructions. The drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and generally are well-tolerated.

Therapy can help people with ADHD develop strategies to deal with the challenges they face. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives and keep track of appointments, and offer assistance and advice in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on home and at work. Marriage and family therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder in relationships, as well as teaching coping skills for conflict and discord that could arise in these situations.

Medication

To diagnose ADHD the health professional will take into consideration various factors. They will ask about your child's symptoms at home, in school, and in other settings. They may also use scales or questionnaires that are specific for ADHD. They may also ask for an history of the family. They will also look for other conditions that may be the cause of the symptoms, like mood disorders and learning disabilities. They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they interfere with your child's daily life.

There is no physical test for ADHD such as blood tests or an X-ray. To diagnose ADHD the healthcare provider for your child will adhere to the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are for children aged 4 to 18. Adults are more difficult to recognize. The symptoms of ADHD may change as time passes. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.

A child must exhibit six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also state the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD, they should be interviewed by someone who is familiar with them. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about how the symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children of their age.

The most common treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medication are available to treat ADHD. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants. These medications help to increase and regulate levels of certain brain chemicals. Other drugs that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine as well as some antipsychotics. They are less potent than stimulants, but are useful for people who are unable to take stimulants due to severe side effects or health issues. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.