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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
adhd diagnosis adult uk will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may want to see old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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 home, school and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.
A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing an examination. You can also provide the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms tend to manifest 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also review your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or 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 be present in a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't 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 perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, 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 Assocation'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 that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. They need to be treated, too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The new definition is based on the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
There are differences between the manner in which the disorder is exhibited 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning.
A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also keep in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.