ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A healthcare professional conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and people close to you -- a spouse, sibling or a friend for adults -- about their symptoms. This may provide information that questionnaires cannot.

The process of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is trickier because the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It's important to find a specialist with the field who takes his or her time when evaluating you.

Signs and symptoms

The first step in an ADHD assessment is to have the patient speak honestly and openly about the symptoms and how they impact his daily life. Many adults are reluctant to admit they struggle with paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to gain rid of symptoms and lead a happier and [Redirect Only] healthier lives.

The evaluator asks the person to share their personal and medical history from childhood up to now. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

To meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, an adult adhd diagnosis criteria 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. The symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two important situations, like school or work. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like anxiety, depression or an intellectual impairment.

In addition to an interview, a doctor might employ behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather details about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess executive functioning, visual and spatial reasoning, and working memory may help identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors can ask permission, based on the circumstance, to reach out to family members or friends who can offer valuable advice and support. They might ask for the names and contact information of parents, spouses, or siblings in order to interview them regarding the person's challenges at home and at work.

A physical exam is usually included in an ADHD evaluation. It can help rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that look a lot like ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct an examination of the brain to determine if there are any indications of brain injury or damage that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator could also recommend urine and blood tests to determine if there is other conditions that may hinder treatment. For example, depression or the use of alcohol or drugs.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that occur in different settings, like at work, home, or school. They should also last for a lengthy period of time. The doctor will assess how much these symptoms impact your day-to-day 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 adhere to the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will evaluate the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct an interview. The interview will discuss your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric history. They will also ask you about how your child's behavior impacts their daily mood, behaviors and work.

For adults, it's difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V is designed to diagnose children. There is some debate over 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 have these symptoms for a prolonged time period and have them significantly affect their daily activities at school, at home or at work.

Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor might order other tests to determine severity of the child's symptoms. This could include tests for blood or EEG test. Other tests may help rule out conditions that are causing the same symptoms like depressive or learning disabilities.

Asking your family doctor to refer you to a specialist who can assess your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is a good place to start. You can also contact your insurance company to find out whether there are any specialists that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to contact a local support group and ask for recommendations. You can also try calling the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school to get an inventory of professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.

Treatment

The symptoms of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and at work, and interfere with relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve functioning and decrease symptoms. People with ADHD also may need to alter their lifestyles, such as adjusting sleep schedules and using a daily planner, or increasing exercise.

A person with ADHD should see his or her primary care physician or psychiatrist or both for an assessment. During this in-person interview, the practitioner will cover topics including the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and problems. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance, productivity, and if they are having issues with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, when they began, and from Where To get diagnosed with adhd, and how do i get an adhd diagnosis much distress they cause.

The evaluator will likely want to talk to other people who are in the patient's life such as spouses, parents or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers or daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot like how the person often stops tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things and what types of situations trigger symptoms.

ADHD is treated by the use of a variety of behavioral therapies and medications. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs improve blood flow to the brain, reduce the impulsive behavior of people and enable them to pay attention and follow directions. The drugs can be taken either orally or intravenously and are generally well tolerated.

In addition to medications, therapy can help people with ADHD discover strategies to compensate for their difficulties. Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to organize their lives and keep track of appointments, and provide assistance and advice in dealing with the impact of ADHD symptoms on family and at work. Marriage and family therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder of relationships and teach strategies for dealing with conflict and disagreement that may occur in these situations.

Medication

For an expert to diagnose ADHD the doctor must look at many things. They will inquire with your child about his or her symptoms at school, home and in other places. They may also use scales and questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask for an information about the family history. They will look for other conditions that could explain the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also assess how severe the symptoms are and if they affect your child's daily life.

There is no physical test for ADHD, like the blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are geared towards children between 4 and 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to identify. This is because a person's symptoms can change over time. 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 of the symptoms described in the guidelines to be classified as having ADHD. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD it is essential that someone who is familiar with them interview them. This includes teachers, religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about how the symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children their age.

The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. Both stimulant and nonstimulant medication can be prescribed to reduce ADHD. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. These drugs balance and increase levels of certain brain chemical. Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are two drugs that treat ADHD. They are less effective than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who cannot take stimulant medication because of health issues or severe side effects. The use of medications can be in combination with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.