ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They may ask to see old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits.
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 also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and then performing physical examination. You may also discuss the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.
adhd uk diagnosis and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely to 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 criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a 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 evaluation Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then compare your child's behaviors to those of other children of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain 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 at least two different settings that cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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 thorough psychiatric assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with 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 following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. However, their problems can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to hold a job. 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 common. The new definition is based on the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are differences between the way the disorder is manifested by 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 reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.