The Sage Advice On Diagnosis For ADHD From A Five-Year-Old
Is There a Medical Test For ADHD?
For adults there is no medical test to determine if you have ADHD. However, it can be diagnosed accurately by a qualified mental health doctor or a medical professional who collects details about the individual's symptoms from a variety of sources.
The expert may ask questions about the individual's past. He or she may also interview those who are familiar with the person. For example, a spouse or sibling for an adult; or coaches, teachers, and nannies for children.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can make it difficult to stay on top of deadlines, stay focused at school or at work and adhere to a regular schedule. A diagnosis can help you better manage these symptoms in the event that you or someone you know suffers from them. A diagnosis can give you a sense relief as you realize that it wasn't just laziness or a lack of intelligence that was holding you back and causing the problem, but a underlying condition which can be treated through medications and other treatments.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM) provides guidelines for medical professionals to determine ADHD. The first step in obtaining a diagnosis is for a health care doctor to assess your symptoms. He or she will consider how long the symptoms have existed, whether they occur in more than one setting and how much they affect your daily functioning.
The doctor will interview you, and, if it is possible, family members or caregivers. The doctor may also ask about your medical and social history. This includes information on your birth and development, family background and your education. Your doctor might order tests for blood to determine if there are any medical issues that might be causing your symptoms.
diagnosing adhd in adults with ADHD generally exhibit more obvious impulsivity and hyperactivity. They might fidget, cannot sit still, interrupt others and be in no position to wait for their turn. They may not finish tasks or engage in games. They might have a hard time staying organized or keeping personal possessions in place.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty working and have a low self-esteem due to an unfinished project history or failure to meet their expectations. They also have difficulty managing their finances due to ineffective time management, forgetfulness and the tendency to spend impulsively. ADHD-related behavioral issues can lead to depression, anxiety sleep disorders, and substance abuse.
Ask your insurance provider to recommend someone who is able to conduct an ADHD evaluation on adults if you're participant in an insurance plan which covers mental health costs. You can contact a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your region. Many people who suffer from ADHD attend support groups and provide valuable word-of-mouth recommendations.
Evaluation
People of all ages with ADHD are diagnosed after a thorough assessment by a trained health professional. They must meet several requirements to be diagnosed symptoms manifest in multiple settings like school and at home and last for at least six months and the symptoms are serious enough to hinder their lives at work, home or at school. The symptoms must also be present before a person is 12 years old, and cannot be caused by other disorders like anxiety or depression.
Doctors begin by performing an overall physical exam that includes visual and hearing test to ensure there aren't any other causes that are causing symptoms. Then they interview you and your child about what is going on in your life. They'll ask about your family background and your lifestyle, as well as when the symptoms began and what you do when you are anxious or stressed. They'll also ask to see report cards, samples of homework and other documents that will help them evaluate your or your child's progress in school and at work.
Some experts utilize ratings scales to help them determine the symptoms of your child or you. Other experts conduct interviews with your family, friends, teachers and other caregivers. If appropriate, they may also interview the religious leader or coach of your child. It is essential to select the right specialist. It is recommended to seek out recommendations from those you trust, and ask how long they've been working. Find out if they're certified and what their credentials are.
The process of evaluation can be a lengthy process that can take weeks or months. It is crucial to be honest when choosing a specialist. Symptoms of ADHD can range from mild to severe, and many people who are diagnosed with the condition find it difficult to make it work or school. It's difficult to admit you have trouble paying attention or completing tasks. It can be a relief knowing that your issues aren't just due to laziness or a lack of parenting. It's also comforting to be aware that there are options to manage your symptoms, including medications. It's important to keep in mind that an ADHD diagnosis shouldn't be a stigma, and shouldn't stop you from pursuing your dreams.
Diagnosis
For adults and teens who have struggled with symptoms for a long time, a diagnosis can bring an array of emotions. They may feel relieved to finally have a concrete reason for their problems but it can also be followed by feelings of sorrow over lost opportunities and resentment in the past when their ADHD went untreated.
A mental health professional will evaluate a person's symptoms of ADHD by looking at a variety of aspects. These include an in-depth interview as well as the administration of psychological tests to see how the individual performs on tasks such as paying attention and recalling information. The evaluator also reviews school records and questionnaires that were completed by caretakers, teachers, and family members.
It is crucial to be honest and open with the professional conducting your evaluation, since the results will influence how you or your child receive treatment. It is also crucial to inform the evaluator about any major issues you or your child has in school, at home or at work. This information will enable the evaluator decide on what next steps to take to determine the cause of the problem.
During the interview the examiner will inquire about your difficulties with learning, organizing, planning and finishing tasks. They will also inquire about your family history and social life to determine if there are any trends in behavior. If your child is constantly losing books and getting in trouble at school, they may want to interview their school counselor or teacher to gain more insight.
The evaluator will also need to determine if there's any history of ADHD in your family, since it is highly genetically inherited. In addition, they will assess how many of the six criteria for inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive type ADHD are present to make a diagnosis.
It is important to note that in order to be identified as having ADHD their symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with their everyday functioning and cause distress. The evaluator should also determine if there are any other conditions that have similar symptoms.
Treatment
If the person's ADHD symptoms are severe, a medical specialist might recommend treatment with medicine in addition to behavioral therapies. The dose and type of medication used depends on the severity of symptoms and the impact they have on a person's daily functioning. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. Because they can reduce appetite, these medications should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Stimulants can also cause side effects, including trouble sleeping, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, stomachaches, headaches and changes in appetite sexual drive.
Psychiatrists treating adults with ADHD often recommend that they take part in a self-help group or therapy to improve their management and coping skills. They might also suggest a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program, which teaches patients and their families various strategies to manage their symptoms. CBT provides skills such as time management and organizing strategies as well as impulse control and emotional self-regulation.
Adults who are diagnosed with ADHD often feel a significant deal of frustration and shame over the ways their problems with hyperactivity, attention, and impulsivity affect their lives. They may regret missed opportunities, school failures and relationships that were caused by their symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD might provide them with the insight they need to begin reclaiming their lives.
A Therapist can help someone who suffers from ADHD learn to manage their symptoms by teaching them strategies for coping to minimize the impact of their symptoms on daily functioning. They can help patients learn to plan and use tools such as calendars and planners for organizing. They can help people to overcome cognitive distortions, such as a tendency to make quick decisions or see only negative aspects of situations and help them develop a more realistic self-image.
Parents of children with ADHD may find that their school staff and teachers can help in providing information on the disorder and suggesting appropriate educational interventions. However, the school staff cannot diagnose a student or make a decision about treatment, and they cannot require students to take prescription medications. Teachers and other staff members are able to help students cope with symptoms by offering support in the classroom or making any accommodations necessary to ensure that the student performs at a satisfactory level.