ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They may ask for old reports and speak to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors.

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 cause problems with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.

A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records and conducting a physical exam. You may also provide the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.

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. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily routine at home, work and school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also go over your child's growth medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause problems and be present for at least six (6) months.

If your child is not able to meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation can include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that could mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as well as group therapies, such as 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 a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.

During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend much time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.

It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main settings, such as work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six month.

During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.

Prevention

People with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get Diagnosed With add into trouble with classmates or have difficulty to hold an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time, but it is not the most common. The newer version recognizes that children can have symptoms of inattention.

There are differences in 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 it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.

A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working in the way they should.

Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.