ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Getting an assessment is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may request old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.

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 cause problems with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.

A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting an examination. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.

Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your life at home at work, or at school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet 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 ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of children who are of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems like difficulty 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 be present in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems and be present for at least six months.

If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 complete psychiatric examination could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an evaluation.

During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also seek details from someone who knows the patient well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis 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 important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid 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 outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak.

The following is a list of preventatives.

In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to find their job. These individuals also need to be treated.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The new definition takes into account the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.

There are differences between the way that the disorder is exhibited by girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less website noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.

A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones and by teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.

A thorough evaluation is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.

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