ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting not to get an assessment for yourself or your child. However, a professional evaluation will help you pinpoint the cause of the symptoms and determine their severity.
Your doctor will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to review your past. They will also speak with you, your spouse, family or close friends to gain a personal insight that checklists and self-tests can't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Seek a referral if suspect your child may have ADHD. He may refer you for more thorough testing or evaluation to a specialist like a pediatrician or psychiatrist. Bring your child's school records to the appointment, since the provider will be interested in how your child compares to other children. The provider will employ standardized ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and the long they've been in the same condition for.
A thorough assessment will look at your child's medical history, mental health history within the family, and also their development. The doctor will also speak to you and the other key adults in your child's life, like coaches or teachers. Talk to your child about any issues you've seen in their behavior, such as not completing homework or other tasks at school or home.
It is common for kids and teens to have short attention spans and lose focus during activities or games. However it is a sign that your child appears to forget things easily or is unable to follow instructions, or makes mistakes when it comes to schoolwork, chores, or work, it could be an indication of ADHD.
Hyperactivity can also be an indication of ADHD. It's not unusual for children to fidget and move around excessively in class or when playing with their friends. When they're home, they may be seen running around or climbing up in areas that aren't appropriate or have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They may mutter answers or interrupt conversations, and they can't wait their turn.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and can be difficult to identify for adults who don't show symptoms 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
ADHD symptoms can impact the ability of a person to function in daily life, whether at school, work, or home. They can also cause problems with social interactions and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms don't know that they suffer from a diagnosable condition, so they aren't likely to seek help. A test for ADHD can help to identify the condition, and a doctor can recommend solutions.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical exam as well as a thorough interview with the patient and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is carried out by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, neurologist or doctor who is trained to recognize ADHD. Talk with your GP when you suspect your child may have ADHD. They can refer your child for a specialist evaluation.
The doctor will look at the patient's symptoms and medical history and any previous treatments. The healthcare provider will conduct an examination of the body, conduct vision and audio screenings, and look for any medical conditions that might explain the patient's symptomatology. They will use a combination of ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales, as well conducting a thorough interview. The patient will also be asked about their past symptoms and how they affect their lives at home, at school, and at work. The patient will be asked for details from family members and friends.
For children, a healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more signs of inattention, or five or more symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity as that are listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must have these symptoms for at minimum six months. They must be noticeable in at least two places such as at school, at home or in the workplace, and show significant impairment. Symptoms must not be caused by any other mental health conditions or physical ailments.
Adults are more difficult to recognize as having ADHD because the ADHD diagnostic tools used for adolescents and children do not apply to adults. how is adhd diagnosed in adults will conduct an interview with the patient and the sibling or close friend, but other doctors prefer specific psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests designed for adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
If a person suffering from ADHD is not treated, their symptoms could negatively impact family life, work, school, and social interactions. The medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. This improves functioning. There are many different medications available, and it may take several attempts to find the best one for an individual. In most cases, psychotherapy and behavior modification are important parts of treatment.
A physician who is qualified to diagnose ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment. Based on the results, she could refer the patient to a different health care professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will examine the medical history of the patient as well as their psychiatric condition, and then use standardized ratings scales to determine ADHD. The doctor will also ask anyone 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 fill out an interview form that includes questions regarding ADHD symptoms and impact.
Different types of medications are available to treat ADHD. The doctor will discuss the most effective medication with the patient. For some, the most effective medication is stimulants. They work by enhancing the activity in the areas of the brain that regulate the behavior and attention. The most commonly prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets, or modified-release daily preparations.
Many children who suffer from ADHD also have other health issues which also require to be assessed and treated, including depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is essential that parents and children talk about these additional health issues with their doctor. Idealy, the person with ADHD should be seen by a specialist for these conditions simultaneously to ensure they are working together to improve functioning.
It is essential to locate a healthcare professional who has experience in treating ADHD particularly when you are beginning medication. Find a doctor whose practice is covered by your insurance company to recommend a specialist or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified specialists. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find the names of specialists in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects that someone has ADHD the doctor will ask them to explain their symptoms in detail. The evaluator also examines the person's medical and family history. During the interview the examiner will search for symptoms that are similar to those listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam might be recommended to rule out some medical reasons for the symptoms, for instance thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It is crucial for the evaluator to collect information from people who know the person well, such as teachers and family members. The evaluator could use questionnaires to ask about the person’s behavior and the impact it has on their work and personal lives. The evaluator might also ask for a copy of the person's performance evaluations or other documentation. If the person has a spouse or close friends they could be interviewed by the evaluator. them as well.
The evaluator should also understand how the ADHD symptoms of the person affect their daily functioning in terms of relationships at school, work, and other social interactions. He or she might suggest a therapy for behavioral issues like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can help a person gain practical skills to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. A therapist could, for example, teach the patient how to organize their belongings and plan regular activities to improve their time-management.
Depending on the situation the examiner may suggest a variety of psychological or neuropsychological tests to gain more complete information about the 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 could prescribe medication to manage symptoms. The treatment plan may also include psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as changing the way a person performs tasks or utilizing accommodations (tools or modifications to a workplace that allow disabled people to participate in a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD provides additional information on treatments for adults.