ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting to avoid an assessment for yourself or your child. However, a professional assessment can help you pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and determine their severity.
Your healthcare provider will review your history and use standardized ADHD rating scales. They'll also conduct interviews with you and others in your life -- spouse or family members -- for personal insight that self-tests or checklists don't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Seek a referral if suspect that your child has ADHD. He may refer you for more detailed testing or an evaluation to a specialist, such as psychiatrist or pediatrician. Bring your child's school records to the appointment, as the provider will be interested in how your child's progress compares to other children. The provider will employ standard ratings scales to assess the severity of symptoms and how long they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will look at your child's development, family history of mental health problems and medical history. The doctor will also speak to you and the other key adults in your child's life, like coaches or teachers. Discuss the issues you've observed in your child's behavior, for example, difficulty with homework or inability to finish tasks at home or school.
It is common for kids and teens to have a short attention span and lose concentration during games or activities. If your child is unable to remember things quickly, has trouble following directions or making a few mistakes with their schoolwork, chores, or work, it could be a sign they are suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity is a different sign of ADHD, and it's common for kids to fidget or move around a lot in class or while playing with their friends. When they're home, they might climb or run around when it's not appropriate or have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Click On this page may mutter answers or interrupt conversations, and they can't wait for their turn.
Inattentional ADHD can be mistaken for daydreaming in adults with no signs 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 hinder the person's ability to function in everyday life whether at school, work or at home. They can also cause problems with socialization and relationships. Many people who suffer from these symptoms aren't aware that they have a diagnosisable disorder, which is why they may not seek help. A screening for ADHD will help in identifying the condition and a doctor may suggest treatment options.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination and a thorough interview with the patient and several other tests and questionnaires. The screening is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist or psychotherapist, neurologist or physician who has been trained to diagnose ADHD. If you suspect that your child has ADHD discuss it with your GP who will refer them to a specialist assessment.
The healthcare professional will review the patient's symptoms and history and will also look into any previous treatment. They will then conduct physical examinations, hearing and vision screenings, and determine if there are any medical conditions that may explain the patient's symptoms. They will employ a combination of ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales, aswell an extensive personal interview. Patients are asked to describe their symptoms and how they affect their lives, both at home and in school. They will also be asked to supply information from family members and close friend.
A doctor may diagnose ADHD in children if they notice at least six symptoms of inattentiveness, and/or at least five symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity as defined in the diagnostic criteria of ADHD. They must exhibit these signs for at least six months. They must be apparent in at least two different settings like school, home or workplace, and show significant impairment. Symptoms must not be caused by any other mental health disorders or physical illnesses.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood is harder due to the fact that many of the ADHD diagnostic tools that are used in adolescents and children aren't applicable to adults. Some doctors will conduct an interview with the patient along with a close friend or sibling however, others prefer using special psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests that are designed for adults with ADHD.
Medication
If a person suffering from ADHD is not treated, their symptoms can negatively impact work, family or school, as well as social interactions. The medications reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. This improves functioning. There are a myriad of medicines available, and it may require several tries to locate the right one for you. Often, psychotherapy and behavior modification are also crucial components of treatment.
A physician who specializes in diagnosing ADHD will conduct a thorough examination. Based on the results, she may refer the patient to another health professional, for example, a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and then apply standard rating scales to evaluate ADHD symptoms. The doctor might also ask someone who knows the patient well for example, a spouse or sibling for adults, or a teacher, coach or parent for children -to fill out an interview form with specific questions regarding ADHD symptoms and their impact on the patient.
Different types of medications can be used to treat ADHD The doctor will talk with the patient about what is the most appropriate treatment. For some people, the most effective medication is stimulants, which act by boosting activity in the regions of the brain that control the behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets, or modified-release daily preparations.
Children with ADHD frequently have other health issues that require evaluation, such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and the child to discuss about these other conditions with their physician. Idealy, the person with ADHD should be seen by a specialist for these issues all at once to ensure that they are working together to improve functioning.
It is important to locate a healthcare professional who has experience in treating ADHD and especially when it comes to you are starting a treatment. Consult a doctor whose work is covered by your insurance company to recommend a specialist, or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD for a list of specialized professionals. You can also call your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to get names of specialists in your area.
Treatment options
If a doctor suspects a patient of having ADHD, he will ask them to describe their symptoms in full detail. The evaluator will also review the person's medical and family history. During the interview the examiner will search for symptoms that are similar to those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical examination may be recommended to rule-out medical causes for the symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
It is essential that the evaluator obtains information from people who know the individual well, like teachers and relatives. The evaluator can use questionnaires that inquire about the behavior of the person and how it affects their work and home life. The evaluator could also request copies of the person's performance appraisals or other documentation. The evaluator could also speak with the spouse or close relatives of the person.
The evaluator will also want to be aware of how the ADHD symptoms of the person affect their daily functioning in the context of relationships at school, work, and other social interactions. The evaluator may suggest a treatment like family or marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or familial therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach a person practical skills for managing their symptoms and improve daily functioning. A therapist might for instance, show the patient how to organize their belongings and plan routine activities to improve their time management.
The person evaluating the test may recommend various neuropsychological or psychological tests to provide a more accurate understanding of the capabilities of a person. 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 may prescribe medication to manage the symptoms. The treatment plan may include psychotherapy or other lifestyle changes like changing the way a person conducts themselves or making accommodations. The National Resource Center on ADHD offers additional information on treatment options for adults.