ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will interview you and your closest family members (your spouse, sibling, or friend if you're an adult -- about your symptoms. This will provide information that questionnaires cannot.
It's harder to determine ADHD in adults, as diagnostic guidelines are developed for children. It's important to find a specialist with the field who takes his or her time when evaluating you.
Signs and symptoms
For an ADHD assessment, the initial step is to allow the patient to talk openly and honestly about symptoms and how they affect his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit they have difficulty paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of the symptoms and live a happier and healthier lives.
The person being evaluated is asked to tell them about their personal and medical history from childhood up to now. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
To meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, an adult must have a history of at least six established symptoms in one or both of two main categories--inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity--for six months. The symptoms must have caused significant impairments in at minimum two crucial settings, such as school or work. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out any other conditions that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment.
A doctor can also employ ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to gather information regarding the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, visual and spatial reasoning, and working memory can help in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Based on the circumstances doctors may ask for permission to talk with those close to the person in order to provide valuable insight and help. For instance, they may request the names of spouses, parents or siblings to interview them about the person's problems at home and at work.
A physical exam is typically part of an ADHD evaluation, since it can help rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms. In certain instances thyroid problems and seizures can mimic symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator can also perform an examination of the neurological system to determine if there are symptoms of brain injury or damage that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend urine and blood tests to determine the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, such as depression or alcohol and drug abuse.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will be looking for signs that manifest in various environments, such as at school, home, or work. They should also last for a lengthy period of time. The doctor will determine how much these symptoms interfere with your day-to-day life. If they cause a lot of trouble, it's likely that you or your child will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
To diagnose children, doctors must follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will include an overview of your child's medical, family, and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's mood and behavior, as well as productivity.
For adults, it is more difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is designed toward diagnosing children, and there is some debate over whether these criteria still apply to adults. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis, an adult must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentive ADHD or 7 or more symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. They must be suffering from these symptoms for a long time period and have them significantly interfere with their daily functioning at home, school, or work.
In addition to conducting a clinical interview, your doctor could order other tests to determine extent of your or the child's symptoms. This could include a blood or EEG test. Other tests may help rule out conditions that are producing the same symptoms as depressive or learning disabilities.
To find a specialist to assess the child's ADHD begin by asking your family physician for the referral. You can also reach out to your insurance provider to find out if professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your plan. You can also reach out to a local group of support and request suggestions. You can also contact an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school to get an inventory of professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The signs of ADHD can cause significant problems at school and work and affect relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD and taking medication to improve your performance can help decrease symptoms. People suffering from ADHD may also have to change their lifestyle, such as adjusting sleep schedules and using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person with ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care provider or a mental health professional. During this in-person interview the doctor will discuss topics including development, family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and issues. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance, productivity, and if they have problems with impulsive or focused actions. They will inquire about the duration of the symptoms, when and where they started, and the level of distress they cause.
The evaluator might want to talk to other people who are involved in the patient's daily life, including parents, spouses siblings, teachers, coaches, daycare providers, or friends. These people can offer insights that questionnaires are unable to provide be able to provide, for instance, the fact that the patient often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also reveal what triggers symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines treat ADHD. The medication may contain stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs increase blood flow to the brain and decrease actions that are impulsive which allows people to be attentive and follow directions. These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally and are generally well-tolerated.
Therapy can help those with ADHD develop strategies to compensate for the difficulties they encounter. Therapists can teach people techniques to manage their lives and keep track of appointments, and offer assistance and guidance when dealing with the impact of ADHD symptoms on home and work life. Family and marriage therapy can help address problems caused by the disorder of relationships and also teach strategies for dealing with conflict and disagreement that may be triggered in these situations.
Medication
For a medical professional to identify ADHD the doctor must look at many things. They will ask your child about their symptoms at school, home and other places. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will also use questionnaires and scales specifically designed for ADHD. They might also inquire about family history. They will look for other conditions that may cause the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also assess the severity of the symptoms and whether they are affecting your child's everyday life.
There isn't a physical test for ADHD that is comparable to a blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are for children aged between 4 and 18. Adults are more difficult to identify. This is because a person's symptoms can change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must display at least 6 of the symptoms as described in the guidelines for diagnosis. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must have been present for a minimum of six months. If your child is being tested for ADHD it is essential that someone who is familiar with them interview them. This includes teachers, religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be informed about how their symptoms affect their daily functioning and how they compare to other children of their age.
The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to reduce ADHD. The most frequently prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. These drugs aid in boosting and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are drugs that treat ADHD. They are less potent than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who are unable to take stimulants due too severe adverse effects or health issues. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.