The 10 Most Terrifying Things About ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may want to see old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behavior.
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 school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
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. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life at home at work, or in school.
Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely to 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has a symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society'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, at school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to focus, forgetting about things and 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 environments that cause your child to function poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them an 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and your family. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also request details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take an hour or more. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including the workplace and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present at minimum six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find jobs. These people must be treated as well.
The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition includes the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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 it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with an understanding of the individual and normative rating scales, both by loved ones as well as educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In adhd diagnosing of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular checks with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.