ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will ask you and the people closest to you -- your spouse or sibling if you're an adult -about your symptoms. This can provide insight that questionnaires cannot.
It's more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, because diagnostic guidelines are created for children. It is crucial to locate an ADHD specialist who will take the time to evaluate you.
Symptoms
To conduct an ADHD assessment, the first step is to allow the patient to talk openly and honestly about his symptoms and how they affect his life. Adults might not want to admit they have trouble paying attention, following directions or organising tasks. But getting a precise diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a more enjoyable life.
The examiner will inquire of the person about their medical history and personal life from childhood to the present. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for treating this 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 impairment in at minimum two major environments, such as work or school. In addition, the evaluator must rule out other disorders that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD like anxiety, depression or an intellectual impairment.
A doctor may also use ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales as well as an interview to gather information on 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. Doctors may request permission depending on the situation to speak with family members or friends who may provide valuable information and support. For instance, they may seek out the names of parents, spouses or siblings to talk with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD assessment. It helps rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. In some instances, thyroid issues and seizures can be a cause of ADHD. The evaluator could also perform an examination of the brain to determine if there are any symptoms of brain injury or damage that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to evaluate for the presence of other conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression or alcohol and drug abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that are present in various settings, like at home, work, or school. They should also last for a significant period of time. Then, the doctor will determine how much these symptoms interfere with your everyday 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.
Doctors utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will examine the child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview with a clinical psychologist. The interview will cover your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric history. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior affects their mood, behavior, and productivity.
For adults, it is trickier to make an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is targeted towards diagnosing children, but there is some debate over whether these criteria are still applicable to adulthood. 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. These symptoms must be present for a prolonged period of time and interfere with the daily activities at school, work, or home.
Your doctor may also order additional tests in addition to the clinical interview to determine the severity and severity of your symptoms or those of your child. This could include tests for blood or EEG test. Other tests can help to identify conditions that could be similar to learning disabilities or depressive disorders.
To find a specialist to evaluate your or the child's ADHD, you can start by asking your doctor for an appointment. You can also contact your insurance company to inquire if experts who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your policy. Another option is to contact a local support group and solicit suggestions. You could also call an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school for an inventory of professionals who can conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The signs of ADHD can lead to serious issues in work and school and can affect relationships. If you're diagnosed with ADHD, taking medication and improving your performance can reduce symptoms. Patients with ADHD also may need to change their lifestyle for example, adjusting the time of their sleep, using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person with ADHD must see his or her primary care provider or psychiatrist or both to receive an evaluation. During this in-person interview the professional will discuss subjects like development, family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and problems. The doctor will inquire about the individual's performance, behavior, and productivity and whether they have issues with impulsive or focused actions. They will inquire about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when they began, and from where, and the amount of distress they cause.
The evaluator is likely to need to talk to other people in the patient's life, such as spouses, parents or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. They can provide information that questionnaires are unable to provide be able to provide, for instance, the fact that the person often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They may also be able to reveal what triggers symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines are used to treat ADHD. The medication may contain stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant medicines such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs increase blood flow to the brain and reduce the impulse to act, allowing people to concentrate and follow directions. They can be taken orally or intravenously, and are usually well tolerated.
Therapy can help those with ADHD come up with strategies to deal with the difficulties they face. Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives, manage their appointments, and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the effects ADHD symptoms have on their work and family life. Family and marriage therapy can help address problems caused by the disorder that affects relationships and also teach coping skills for conflict and disagreement that may arise in these situations.
Medication
To diagnose ADHD A health care professional must consider various factors. They will inquire about your child's symptoms at home, at school and in other places. They may also employ scales and questionnaires that are specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask for an history of the family. They may also search for other conditions that may be the cause of the symptoms, like learning disabilities and mood disorders. They will also assess the severity of the symptoms and if they interfere with your child's life.
There is no physical test that can confirm ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. To diagnose ADHD, your child's healthcare provider will be following the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines were designed for children aged 4-18 years old. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD can change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must exhibit six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD the child should be interviewed by someone who knows them well. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders and other caregivers. You should also inquire how their symptoms affect their daily activities and how they perform to other children their age.
The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant as well as nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to reduce ADHD symptoms. Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Other drugs that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine as well as some antipsychotics. ADHD Diagnosis work slower than stimulants, but they can be helpful for those who are unable to take stimulant medications due to health issues or serious adverse effects. They can be combined alongside other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral treatment.
