ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.

The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They might want to look at old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.

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 learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to a GP. They are not able to diagnose adhd adult diagnosis formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.

A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and conducting physical examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and in school.

Adults can 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 are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric evaluation 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 or Adhd adult diagnosis other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.

During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. They will also discuss your child's developmental medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against the behavior of other children of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting other children.

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 that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months.

If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and family. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.

Treatment

If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an evaluation.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.

It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of adhd adult diagnosis is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at minimum six months.

During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.

The following is a list of preventions.

People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or adhd adult diagnosis struggle to keep a job. These individuals require treatment, as well.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most common. The newer name recognizes that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.

There are differences in the way that 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by family members and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.

A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also remain in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working exactly as they should.

Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.