5 ADHD Diagnoses Myths You Should Avoid
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They might want to look at old report cards and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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 exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.
A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records, and performing physical examination. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and at school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to lessen the effects of side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also go over your child's growth, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are their age. Iam Psychiatry can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as 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 be present in at least two different settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 cognitive and psychological tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request details about the problem from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient.
It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major situations, including the workplace and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least six month.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association'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 these five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to keep an occupation. These people also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used but it's not the most popular. The newer version takes into account that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder manifests 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 makes them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health professional. This involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working as it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.