ADHD Diagnoses It's Not As Hard As You Think
ADHD Diagnoses It's Not As Hard As You Think
Blog Article
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They may want to see old reports and speak to family members, teachers or classmates 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, at home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and conducting a physical exam. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they get 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be studied. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are their age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and 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 occur in a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria to qualify 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 assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an assessment.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask for details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major situations, including the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present at least six month.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily ignored. However, their problems can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with their peers, or find it difficult to keep an occupation. These people also need to be treated.
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 name recognizes that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder manifests between boys and girls. 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 less likely to seek treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well and also standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate read more the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.