ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Finding an assessment is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may ask to see old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. Talk to your GP when you or your child exhibits these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.

A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, along with physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, at work or school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.

During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's growth, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to those of other children who are similar to them. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people.

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 cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months.

If your child isn't meeting the requirements 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health 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 make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like work and home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present for at least six months.

During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient meets 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.

Prevention

People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to find a job. They require treatment, too.

The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition recognizes that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.

There are some differences in the manner in which 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.

It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.

Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments to read more dosages or other treatment options.