10 Misconceptions That Your Boss May Have Regarding ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an assessment is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. adult diagnosis adhd might request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your childhood behaviors.
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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying 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 assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. They will also go over your child's growth medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior of other children of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 be present in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction, and have been present 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 examination may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is a patient-patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician may also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take an hour or more. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
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 is based on at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These people must be treated too.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name takes into account that children may only have symptoms of inattention.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few 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 increases the likelihood that they will be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning.
It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.