ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They might request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits.
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. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
adhd diagnosis near me can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and conducting an examination. You may also provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, at work or school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who has a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's development medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, like 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 a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems and be present for 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 assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could 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 professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient meets 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. But their problems do result in consequences: they might underperform at school, clash with classmates or have difficulty to keep a job. These people require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer definition is based on the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
There are differences between the way the disorder is presented 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 makes them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales, both by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely effective for children and adults 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 in dosage or other treatment options.