ADHD Diagnoses Isn't As Tough As You Think
ADHD Diagnoses Isn't As Tough As You Think
Blog Article
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask for old reports and talk 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow 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 are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of other children who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and 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 be present in at least two settings and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform 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 may also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may 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 insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present for at least six month.
During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep jobs. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The newer version recognizes that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences between the manner in which the disorder is manifested 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.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or website parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.