ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting not to seek an assessment for yourself or your child. But a professional evaluation can help you pinpoint the cause of the symptoms and determine the severity.
Your doctor will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to look over your past. They will also speak with you, your spouse, family or your friends to gain personal insight that checklists and self-tests can't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Request a referral if you suspect that your child has ADHD. He could refer you to a specialist, like a psychiatrist or pediatrician for more thorough assessment or testing. 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 standard ratings scales to assess the severity of symptoms and how long they've been in the same condition for.
A thorough assessment will examine your child's development, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who are important to your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. Discuss any issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, like difficulty with homework or inability to complete assignments at school or at home.
It is common for teens and children to have a limited attention span and lose concentration during games or activities. However it is a sign that your child appears to forget things easily or has trouble following instructions or makes careless mistakes in their schoolwork, chores, or work, it could be a sign of ADHD.
diagnosing adhd is a different sign of ADHD It's normal for kids to fidget or move around a lot in class or with friends. At home, they may be seen running or climbing in inappropriate places or struggle to sit for a long period of time. They might blurt out answers or interrupt conversations, and they can't wait their turn.
Inattentive ADHD is often mistaken for daydreaming, and it can be hard to diagnose in adults who don't have 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 affect a person's ability to function in everyday life at school, work, or home. They can also cause issues with socialization and relationships. Many people suffering from these symptoms are not aware that they suffer from a disorder that is diagnosable, and aren't seeking treatment. A screening for ADHD can help identify the condition and a doctor may recommend treatments.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical examination and a thorough patient interview and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist, or a neuroologist or a doctor who has been skilled in the diagnosis of ADHD. Talk with your GP in case you think your child may have ADHD. They can refer your child for an evaluation by a specialist.
The healthcare provider will examine the patient's symptoms as well as their history and any previous treatments. The healthcare provider will conduct physical examinations, vision and audio screenings, and search for any medical conditions that might explain the patient's symptomatology. They will use a combination of ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales, as well an extensive personal interview. The patient will be asked about their past symptoms and how they affect their life at home, in school and at work. The patient will be asked for information from close family members and friends.
For children, a medical professional can diagnose ADHD when they observe six or more signs of inattentiveness and/or five or more symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms have to be present for at least six month. They should be evident in at least two places, such as school, home or workplace and have significant impairment. Symptoms must not be caused by any other mental health conditions or physical illnesses.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood is harder due to the fact that many of the ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children don't apply to adults. Some doctors interview the patient or someone close to them, or a friend. Other doctors use computers to conduct continuous performance tests that are designed for adults with ADHD.
Medication
If someone with ADHD is not treated, their symptoms may affect work, family, school, and social relationships. The medications reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. This improves the functioning. There are many different medications available, and it could take a few attempts to find the best one for an individual. In most cases, psychotherapy and behavior modification are crucial components of treatment.
A specialist in diagnosing ADHD will perform an exhaustive examination. Based on the results, she may refer the patient to another health care professional, for example, a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will go over the patient's medical and mental history, and then apply the standard rating scales for assessing ADHD symptoms. diagnosis of adhd may also ask someone who knows the patient well like siblings or spouses for adults; or a teacher, coach or parent for children -- to complete an interview form, which includes questions specific to ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Different types of medications are available to treat ADHD and the doctor will discuss with the patient what is the most appropriate treatment. For some people the most effective medication is stimulants. They work by boosting activity in the regions of the brain that regulate behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.
Children who suffer from ADHD often suffer from other health conditions that need to be evaluated like depression, anxiety, or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and children to talk about these other issues with their healthcare provider. Ideally, the person with ADHD will see specialists for all of these issues at the same time, to ensure that they are working in tandem to improve functioning.
It is essential to find a doctor who is experienced in treating ADHD particularly when you are you are starting a treatment. Consult a doctor whose work is covered by your insurance to recommend a specialist or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified professionals. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to get names of professionals in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD He will ask them to describe their symptoms in great detail. The evaluator also reviews the individual's medical, family and psychiatric history. During the interview the evaluator will search for signs that are similar to those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam is advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems.
It's important for the evaluator information from people who know the person well, like 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 life. The evaluator may also request the person's performance reviews, or other documentation. If the person has an intimate relationship with a spouse or other close friends the evaluator may interview them too.
The evaluator will also want to know how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their daily functioning, such as in relationships, at school and at work. They might suggest a behavioral therapy such as marital or family counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or family therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach a person the practical skills needed to manage their symptoms and improving daily functioning. A therapist might, for example, teach the patient how to manage their belongings and plan regular activities in order to improve their time-management.
The evaluator may recommend a variety of neuropsychological or psychological assessments to get a better picture of a 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 might prescribe medication to manage symptoms. The treatment plan could also include psychotherapy or other lifestyle modifications, like changing the way a person performs tasks or using accommodations (tools or modifications to a workplace that make it easier for disabled people to be a part of a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD offers more information about treatments for adults.