10 Startups That Will Change The ADHD Diagnoses Industry For The Better
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about 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 can also interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. Speak to your GP if you or your child displays these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed.
A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records and conducting physical examination. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your family life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms match the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to that of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things, or 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 at least two settings and cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.
If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 evaluation may include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.
During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also ask for details from someone who knows the patient well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can take an hour or more. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at least six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. However, adult adhd diagnosis can result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with classmates or struggle to hold their job. These people need to be treated, as well.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account 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 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 go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning as it should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.