ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) 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 teachers, family members or your friends to find out 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 school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but 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, looking over your medical history and health records and conducting an examination. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can 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. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms affect your life, at home, at work, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest 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 are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, professionally and personally. adhd uk diagnosis can be performed by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against the behavior of other children of similar age. They can use standard 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 environments, cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months.
If your child isn't meeting the criteria 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. 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 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 region. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two main 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, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the person 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep a job. These individuals need to be treated, too.
The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account that children can have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests between 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.