Many Of The Common Errors People Make When Using ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may ask for old reports and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child displays these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and performing physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at home, at work or school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest 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 IamPsychiatry meet the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of side effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth 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, at school and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children his age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting others.
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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six (6) months.
If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. The symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at least six month.
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 established 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 must be supported by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold a job. They also have to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be 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 way the disorder is exhibited 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an understanding of the individual and normative rating scales, both by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.