10 Myths Your Boss Has Concerning ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They may request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to get information 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 learning and relationships at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and then performing physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination.
I Am Psychiatry and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of 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 a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your family life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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 criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. They will also go over your child's growth as well as medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of children who are his age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 more than one setting that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted 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 significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at least six months.
During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not 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 requires at least three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily ignored. However, their problems can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with their peers, or struggle to hold a job. These people also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used however it is not the most commonly used. The newer definition recognizes that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder presents itself 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.