ADHD Diagnosing
It is tempting to not seek an evaluation for yourself or your child. A professional evaluation will help you determine the severity of symptoms and pinpoint the root of the problem.
Your provider will review your medical history and use standard ADHD rating scales. They'll also conduct interviews with you and those in your life, such as spouse, family members or friends to get a personal perspective that self-tests or checklists don't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Request a referral if you suspect your child may have ADHD. He could refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or pediatrician for more thorough assessment or testing. Bring school records to your visit as the doctor will want to determine how your child's performance compares to his peers who are the same age. The provider will employ standard ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and the long they've been in the same condition for.
A thorough examination will review your child's medical history, their mental health history in the family and development. The doctor will also talk with you and other important adults in your child's life, including teachers or coaches. You should talk to your child about any issues you've seen in their behavior, such as not completing homework or other school-related tasks or home.
diagnosing adhd in adults and children often have a short attention span and it's not uncommon for them to lose their focus during games or other activities. However it is a sign that your child appears to lose track of things easily, has difficulty following instructions or makes erroneous mistakes with their homework, chores or schoolwork it could be a sign of ADHD.
Hyperactivity is also a sign of ADHD. It's not unusual for children to be distracted and move around a lot in class or when playing with their friends. At home, they may be seen running or climbing in inappropriate locations or have trouble sitting for a long period of time. They might interrupt conversations or blurt out answers.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and it can be hard to diagnose in adults who don't have 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
The symptoms of ADHD can affect the daily functioning of a person, including at school, home or work. They can also cause issues with social interactions and relationships. Many people with these symptoms aren't aware that they may have an identifiable disorder and they may not seek treatment. A test for ADHD will help in identifying the disorder and a physician can recommend treatments.
The test for ADHD includes a medical exam and a thorough patient interview and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is carried out by a psychologist or psychiatrist or psychotherapist, neuroologist, or physician who has been trained to recognize ADHD. Talk to your GP when you suspect your child might be suffering from ADHD. They may refer your child to an evaluation by a specialist.
To make a diagnosis, the healthcare provider will review the patient's symptoms, their history and past treatment. The healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam, conduct audio and vision screenings and determine if there are any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptomatology. They will utilize a combination of ADHD symptoms checklist and standardized scores for behavioral ratings and conduct a thorough interview. The patient will be asked about their history of symptoms and how they impact their life at home, at 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 if they observe six or more symptoms of inattentiveness and/or five or more signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must exhibit these signs for at minimum six months. They must be noticeable in at least two settings like school, at home or in the workplace and have significant impairment. Symptoms must not be caused by other mental health disorders or physical ailments.
Adults are more difficult to recognize as having ADHD due to the fact that the ADHD diagnostic tools that are used for children and adolescents do not apply to adults. Some doctors will interview the patient along with an immediate family member or friend, but others prefer using specialized psychological testing and computerized continuous performance tests that are designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
diagnosing adhd in adults
If ADHD is not treated, the signs can be a major influence on family life, work and school as well as social relationships. The medications reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. This improves the functioning. There are a variety of medications available, and sometimes it takes several tries to find one that works for an individual. Psychotherapy and behavior modification may also be important components of treatment.
A physician qualified to diagnose ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation. She may refer the patient, dependent on the results to a different health professional, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will review the medical history of the patient and the psychiatric issue, and utilize standardized ratings scales to assess ADHD. The doctor might also have someone who knows the patient well -- such as siblings or spouses for adults; a coach, teacher, or parent for children -to fill out an interview form that includes questions specific to ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Several different types of medication can be used to treat ADHD The doctor will discuss with the patient which is the most appropriate medication. Stimulants are the most effective treatment for some people. They enhance activity in the brain areas that control attention and behaviour. The most commonly prescribed drug is methylphenidate, available in immediate-release tablets as well as modified-release once-daily preparations.
Children who suffer from ADHD often have other health issues that require evaluation, such as anxiety, depression or mood disorders. It is crucial that parents and children talk about these additional conditions with their healthcare provider. Ideally, the person with ADHD will visit specialists for all of these disorders at the same time to ensure that they are working together to improve functioning.
It is crucial to locate a healthcare professional who has experience in treating ADHD and especially when it comes to starting 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
When a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD, he will ask them to describe their symptoms in full detail. The evaluator also reviews the person's medical, family and psychiatric history. During the interview, he'll be looking for signs that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam is recommended to rule-out medical causes for the symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems.
It's important for the evaluator to collect information from those who know the person well, including teachers and family members. The evaluator may use questionnaires to ask about the behavior of the person and its impact on their work and personal life. The evaluator might also request a copy of the person's performance appraisals or other documents. The evaluator may also interview the spouse or close relatives of the person.
The evaluator should also try to understand how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily life, for instance in relationships, at school, and at work. The evaluator might suggest a behavioral therapy like family or marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or family therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach a person the skills to manage their symptoms and improving their daily functioning. For example therapy may help the person learn how to organize their possessions or schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
The person evaluating the test may recommend a variety of neuropsychological or psychological tests to provide a more accurate picture of the abilities 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. Often, the evaluator will prescribe medication to treat the symptoms. The treatment plan may also include psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as changing the way a person performs tasks or using accommodations (tools or changes to the workplace that allow disabled people to work). The National Resource Center on ADHD has additional information about treatments for adults.