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ADHD Diagnosing
It's tempting to not to get an evaluation for yourself or your child. However, a professional assessment can assist you in identifying the source of your symptoms and determine the severity.
Your healthcare provider will use standard ADHD ratings scales to look over your past. They will also speak with you as well as your spouse, family members or close friends to gain a personal insights that checklists and self-tests can't provide.
Symptoms
If you suspect that your child might have ADHD Get an appointment from your health care provider. He may refer you to a specialist, like a psychiatrist or pediatrician for more thorough evaluation or testing. Bring your child's school records to the appointment, since the doctor will be interested in how your child's progress compares to his peers. The provider might use standardized rating scales to determine the severity of your child's symptoms, and also determine the time since they've been present.
A thorough assessment will examine the development of your child, their family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who play a role in your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. It is important to talk with your child about any problems you've seen in their behavior, for example, not completing homework or other tasks at school or at home.
It's normal for children and teens to have short attention spans and lose focus during games or activities. However if your child appears to be prone to forgetting things, has difficulty following instructions or makes careless mistakes with their schoolwork, chores, or work it could be a sign of ADHD.
Hyperactivity is another sign of ADHD It's not uncommon for children to fidget or move around a lot in class or when playing with their friends. At home, they could climb or run in inappropriate locations or have trouble sitting still for a long duration. They might interrupt conversations or blurt out answers.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and is difficult to recognize in adults who don't have signs of hyperactivity. Adults with this form of the disorder often don't meet symptom criteria for either the hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD, so providers assign an unspecified diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of ADHD can hinder the daily functioning of a person such as at home, school or work. They can also cause problems with social interactions and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms are unaware that they suffer from a disorder that is diagnosable, and they may not seek treatment. A screening for ADHD can help to identify the condition and a doctor may suggest solutions.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical examination and a thorough patient interview and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is conducted by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, or a neuroologist or physician who is skilled in the diagnosis of ADHD. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, talk to your GP who can refer them for an assessment by a specialist.
The healthcare provider will examine the patient's symptoms and history and will also look into any previous treatment. They will then conduct an examination of the body, conduct hearing and vision screenings, and look for any medical conditions that might explain the patient's symptoms. They will utilize a combination of ADHD symptoms checklist, standardized behavioral rating scores and conduct a thorough interview. The patient will be asked about their previous symptoms and how they affect their lives at home, in school and at work. The patient will be asked to provide information from close family members and friends.
For children, a doctor is able to diagnose ADHD when they notice six or more signs of inattention, or five or more indicators of impulsivity and hyperactivity identified in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms have to be present for at least six months. They should be evident in at least two different settings like home, school or the workplace, and show significant impairment. The symptoms must not be caused by mental disorders or physical illnesses.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is a challenge, because most of the ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children don't apply to adults. Some doctors will interview the patient, a close family member or friend. Others use computers to conduct continuous performance tests that are designed for adults with ADHD.
Medication
If ADHD is not treated, the symptoms can affect family life, work and school as well as social interactions. The medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. This improves functioning. Several different medications are available and sometimes it takes several tries to find the one that works for an individual. In most cases, psychotherapy and behavior modification are crucial components of treatment.
A physician who specializes in diagnosing ADHD will conduct an exhaustive assessment. Depending on the results, she may refer the patient to another health care professional, for example, psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will look over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and then use standardized rating scales to assess ADHD symptoms. The doctor may also request someone who is familiar with the patient -- such as siblings or spouses for adults; or a coach, teacher or parent for children -to fill out an interview form that includes questions specific to ADHD symptoms and their effects.
Different types of medications are available to treat ADHD The doctor will talk with the patient about what is the most appropriate medication. For some people the most effective treatment is stimulants, which act by boosting activity in the regions of the brain that control attention and behavior. The most frequently prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.
Children with ADHD often have other health conditions that need to be evaluated like depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and the child to discuss about these other issues with their healthcare provider. Ideally, the child with ADHD should see specialists for these conditions at once to ensure that they are working together to improve functioning.
When you are beginning a medication, it is important to seek out an experienced healthcare professional in treating ADHD. Ask a physician whose practice is covered by your insurance provider to recommend a specialist or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified specialists. You can also contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (CHADD) to locate professionals in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD the doctor will ask them to describe their symptoms in full detail. The evaluator also examines the individual's medical and family history. During the interview the evaluator will search for symptoms that match those described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical examination may be suggested to rule out medical causes for the symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems.
It's important for the evaluator to get information from those who know the person well, such as teachers and family members. The evaluator could utilize questionnaires to inquire about the person's conduct and how it affects their work and home life. The evaluator might also request copies of the person's performance assessments or other documents. The evaluator could also speak with the spouse or close relatives of the person.
The evaluator also wants to be aware of how the ADHD symptoms of the person affect their daily functioning in terms of relationships, school, and work. I Am Psychiatry or she may suggest behavioral therapy like family or marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or even marital or familial therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach a person practical skills for managing their symptoms and improving their daily functioning. A therapist might, for example, teach the patient how to manage their belongings and plan routine activities to improve their time management.
Based on the circumstances the assessor may recommend a variety of psychological or neuropsychological tests to get more complete information about the abilities of the person. These tests might include cognitive testing, such as IQ or academic achievement tests, as well as brain wave measurements using a device called an electroencephalograph (EEG).
The evaluator will decide if the symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD and whether they fall under the inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD. The evaluator may prescribe medication to control the symptoms. The treatment plan may also include psychotherapy or other lifestyle modifications, like changing the way the person conducts themselves or using accommodations (tools or changes to the workplace that help disabled people to participate in a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD offers additional information on treatment options for adults.