ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may want to see old report cards and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.
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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records and conducting an examination. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
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. They look for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 your adult symptoms meet the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of 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 assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of children who are his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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 occur in a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 evaluation can include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking your 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. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the symptoms must be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the person 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 website paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or find it difficult to keep a job. They must be treated as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The newer version is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests itself between 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 required to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.