ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.

The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your 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 learning and relationships at work, school and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.

A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing an exam. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.

If your adult symptoms match the requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus.

Diagnosis

Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's growth, medical history and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things, or 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 settings that cause your child to function poorly and last for at least at least six months.

If your child doesn't 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.

Treatment

If someone has been identified as having adhd diagnosis adults, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first 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 professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous performance tests, where to diagnose adhd check for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment.

During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at minimum six months.

During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set 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 backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted.

Prevention

People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated.

The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.

While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.

It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.

People who have been 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 contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.

The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. People who are prescribed adhd private diagnosis near me medication should be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.