ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting not to seek a diagnosis for you or your child. A professional evaluation can help you determine the severity of the symptoms and pinpoint their cause.
Your provider will review your past and use standardized ADHD rating scales. They will also interview you as well as your spouse, family members or your friends to gain personal insight that checklists or self-tests are not able to provide.
Signs and symptoms
Request a referral if you suspect your child may have ADHD. He may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, or pediatrician, for more extensive assessment or testing. You should also bring school records to your visit since the doctor will want to determine how your child compares with his peers with similar age. The provider will use standard ratings scales to assess the severity of symptoms and how long they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will look at your child's development, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also speak to you and other important adults in your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. You should discuss what difficulties you've noticed in your child's behavior, like difficulties with homework or failure to complete assignments at home or school.
It's normal for teens and children to have a limited attention span and lose concentration during games or activities. If your child is unable to remember things quickly, having difficulty following directions, or making careless mistakes with their schoolwork, chores or work, this could be a sign they are suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity could also be an indication of ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to fidget and move around a lot in class or while playing with their peers. At home, they could climb or run in inappropriate locations or have trouble sitting for a long period of period of time. They may blurt out their answers or interrupt others in conversations, and they can't wait their turn.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and can be hard to diagnose for adults who don't show 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 affect the person's daily functioning whether at home, school or work. They can also cause issues with social interaction and relationships. Many people with these symptoms are not aware that they have a diagnosable disorder, and they may not seek treatment. A screening for ADHD will help in identifying the condition and a doctor may recommend solutions.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical exam and a thorough patient interview and a range of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is carried out by a psychiatrist or psychologist or psychotherapist, neuroologist, or physician who has been trained to diagnose ADHD. Talk to your GP when you suspect your child may be suffering from ADHD. They may refer your child to a specialist evaluation.
To establish a diagnosis the healthcare professional will look over the patient's symptoms, history and treatment history. The healthcare provider will conduct physical examinations, audio and vision screenings and search for any medical conditions which could be the cause of the patient's symptoms. They will employ a combination of ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scores for behavioral ratings and a thorough assessment. Patients will be asked to describe their symptoms and how these impact their lives both at home and at school. The patient will be asked to provide information from close family members and friends.
A doctor may diagnose ADHD in children if they notice at least six signs of inattention, or at least five symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity as described in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms have to be present for at least six months. They must be apparent in at least two locations, such as school, home or at the workplace, and demonstrate an impairment that is significant. The symptoms must not be caused by physical or mental illnesses.
Adults are more difficult to identify as having ADHD due to the fact that the ADHD diagnostic tools used for adolescents and children do not apply to adults. Some doctors will interview the patient as well as the sibling or close friend, but other doctors prefer special psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If someone with ADHD is not treated, their symptoms could affect the family, work or school, as well as social interactions. The medications can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. This improves functioning. There are many different medications available, and sometimes it takes several tries to find one that works for a specific person. In most cases, psychotherapy and behavior modification are important parts of treatment.
A doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD will conduct an exhaustive examination. They may refer the patient, depending on the results to a different health professional, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will review a patient's medical history and the psychiatric issue, and use standardized ratings scales to determine ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about those who are close to the patient- a parent, teacher or sibling in the case of adults; or a spouse or sibling in the case of children to complete an interview form that includes questions regarding ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Several different types of medication can be used to treat ADHD The doctor will talk with the patient about which is the most appropriate medication. Stimulants are the most effective drug for a few people. They boost activity in brain areas that control attention and behaviour. adhd diagnosis in adults prescribed medication is methylphenidate, available in immediate-release tablets as well as modified-release, once-daily formulations.
Many children with ADHD are also suffering from other health issues that need to be treated and evaluated for anxiety, depression or mood disorders. It is crucial that parents and children discuss these health issues with their doctor. In the ideal scenario, the person suffering from ADHD will be seen by specialists for all of these conditions simultaneously, to ensure that they are working in tandem to improve their functioning.
When beginning treatment it is essential to find an experienced healthcare professional in treating ADHD. Ask a physician whose practice is covered by your insurance company to suggest a specialist or call the National Resource Center on ADHD for a list of qualified professionals. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to obtain the names of professionals in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects that someone is suffering from ADHD, he or she will ask them to describe their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also review the person's medical and family history. During the interview, he will be looking for symptoms that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam might be advised to rule out medical causes of the symptoms, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It's crucial that the evaluator obtains information from people who know the person well, like teachers and relatives. The evaluator may use questionnaires to ask about the person’s behavior and the impact it has on their personal and professional lives. The evaluator may also ask for a copy of a review of performance or other evidence. The evaluator can also talk to the spouse or close family members of the person.
The evaluator should also try to understand how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily life, for instance in relationships, at school, and at work. The evaluator may suggest some behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach a person practical skills for managing their symptoms and improving their daily functioning. adult diagnosis of adhd might for instance, show the person how to organize their possessions and schedule routine activities to improve their time-management.
The examiner may suggest a variety of neuropsychological or psychological tests to gain a clearer picture of a person's abilities. 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 manage symptoms. The treatment plan may involve psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle modifications, like changing the way the person does things or utilizing accommodations (tools or changes in a workplace that help someone with a disability to participate in a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD has additional information about treatments for adults.