17 Signs You're Working With ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might want to look at old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behaviors.
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. These symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at home, school and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and conducting an examination. You can also discuss your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. ADHD Diagnosis may include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms will likely 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. They will also review your child's developmental as well as medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting other children.
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 make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 evaluation may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment.
During an interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at least six month.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's 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 the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find jobs. These people also need to be treated.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time, but it is not the most commonly used. The new definition is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder presents 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.
A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well and also standard scales of rating used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working as they should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.