ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an assessment is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They might want to look at old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about 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 relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult a GP. adult adhd diagnosis uk are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing an examination. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely 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 your adult symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about 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 occur in more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 examination can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may 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 will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. 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 can be a long time. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. In order for ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with 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 least three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find jobs. These people require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The newer version recognizes that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder manifests between girls and boys. 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 them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This involves a medical history review along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone 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 functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.