ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Finding an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.

The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They might request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.

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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.

A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and conducting a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and at school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, 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 private adult adhd diagnosis symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to minimize the risk of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

getting diagnosed with adhd a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow 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'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 be present in at least two environments that make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.

If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic 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 as well as your family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.

During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also request information from someone who knows the patient well like siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.

It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as home and work. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present for at least six months.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.

The following is a list of preventatives.

Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to keep an occupation. These individuals require treatment, too.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time however it is not the most commonly used. The newer designation includes the fact that children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.

There are differences in the way the disorder is manifested 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as 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 ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.

A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should.

The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular checks with their healthcare providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.