10 Misconceptions That Your Boss May Have About ADHD Diagnoses ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They may want to see old reports and speak 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 at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult a 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 help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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 behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more 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 with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. These medications may be given in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school and in social settings. They will also review your child's growth, medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things and interrupting other people.
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 a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking the 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-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
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, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis, the impairment must have been present at minimum six months.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.
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 definition includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some variations in the way that 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
Highly recommended Website by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.