ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.

The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may request old reports and talk 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.

A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing physical examination. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.

Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and ADHD at school.

Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release form to reduce side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.

During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's development, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behaviors, like difficulty paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting others.

There are three presentations of adhd diagnosis adults - 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 two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption 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, 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.

During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.

It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.

The following is a list with preventions.

In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find a job. 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 common. The newer designation is based on the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.

There are some differences in the manner in which the disorder is presented 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 increases the likelihood that they will be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. 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 and also standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.

A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.

Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.