10 Things Everyone Has To Say About ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They might request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your 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 home, school and work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and performing a physical examination. You can also mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, along with a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.
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. This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis 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 evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior with that of other children his age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting other children.
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 and affect your child's performance and cause problems and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet 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.
I Am Psychiatry could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an examination is an interview with the patient.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set 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 is based on at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or find it difficult to find their job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The new definition includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
There are differences between the way the disorder is presented 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 go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also remain contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working in the way they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular checks with their healthcare providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.