ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may ask for old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates about your childhood habits.

Signs and 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 also interfere with relationships and learning at home, school and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.

A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. It is also possible to discuss the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers along with physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.

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. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, at home, and in school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.

If you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.

Diagnosis

Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to 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. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral 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 occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause diagnose adhd problems and be present for at least six months.

If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company or a local 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 employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment.

During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.

It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like home and work. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present at minimum six months.

During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.

Prevention

People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals require treatment, too.

The term ADD is still used frequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version takes into account that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.

There are differences in the way that the disorder is exhibited by 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales completed both by loved ones and by educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.

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

People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should.

The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.