ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and people close to you -- a spouse, sibling, or friend for adults -- about their symptoms. This can provide insight that questionnaires cannot.
The process of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is a bit more difficult, as guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It is essential to find a doctor who specializes in the field who takes the time when evaluating you.
Symptoms
The first step in the initial step of an ADHD evaluation is to have the patient talk honestly and openly about his issues and how they affect his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit that they struggle with paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of the symptoms and live a happier and healthier lives.
The evaluator will ask the individual about their medical history and personal life from childhood until the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder, which are found 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 led to significant impairments in at minimum two crucial situations, like school or at work. The evaluator should also rule out any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety or intellectual impairment.
In addition to an interview, a doctor might employ behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather information about the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory skills and visual and spatial reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission depending on the situation to contact family members or friends who could offer valuable advice and help. They may request the names and contact information of parents, spouses, or siblings in order to interview them regarding the person's problems both at home and at work.
A physical exam is often part of an ADHD evaluation, since it can help identify other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that resemble like ADHD. The evaluator might also conduct a neurological examination to determine if there is any indication of injury or damage to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest urine and blood tests to check for the presence of other conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression, alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that occur in different settings, like at home, work, or school. The symptoms should also last for a prolonged period of time. Then, the doctor will evaluate how these symptoms impact your daily routine. 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.
To diagnose children, doctors must follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will discuss the child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct a clinical interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric background. You will be asked questions about your child's daily mood and behavior as well as their performance.
For adults, it is trickier to make a diagnosis. The DSM-V is a diagnostic tool designed for children. There is some debate as to whether the criteria are still applicable to adults. 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 time and must interfere with daily functioning at work, school or at home.
Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor may order other tests to determine extent of your your child's symptoms. These might include a blood test or an EEG. Other tests can help determine if a condition is similar to depression or learning disabilities.
A request to your family doctor to recommend you to an expert who will evaluate your ADHD or that of your child is the best place to begin. You can also contact your insurance provider to inquire whether there are any specialists covered under your plan who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and request recommendations. adhd uk diagnosis can also contact an academic medical center or university hospital to obtain the list of specialists who conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work or at school, and can cause problems with relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve functioning and decrease symptoms. People with ADHD may also have to change their lifestyle like adjusting their sleep schedules or using a daily planner, or increasing exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD should be evaluated by their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In this in-person consultation, the practitioner will cover topics including development as well as family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and concerns. The practitioner will ask questions about the patient's performance, behavior, and productivity and whether they have issues with impulsive behavior or focus. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, when they began, and from where, and how much distress they cause.
The evaluator may be looking to speak to other people in the life of the patient, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults, as well as coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires can't provide, such as the way that a person may stop tasks halfway or forgets things, or what situations trigger symptoms.
ADHD is treated by the use of a variety of treatments and medications. Medications may include stimulants like amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase the flow of blood to the brain and reduce actions that are impulsive which allows people to pay attention and follow directions. These drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
Alongside medication therapy can also help those with ADHD develop strategies to compensate for their difficulties. Therapists can assist people in learning how to organize their lives, keep track of appointments, and offer assistance and guidance in dealing with the effects ADHD symptoms can have on work and family life. Marriage and family therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder that affects relationships, as well as teaching how to handle conflict and discord that could occur in these situations.
Medication
To allow an expert to diagnose ADHD it is necessary to evaluate many things. They will inquire with your child about his or her symptoms at school, home and in other locations. They will also use questionnaires and scales that are specifically designed for ADHD. They might also inquire about the history of their family. They will search for other conditions that may cause the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and whether they affect your child's daily routine.
There is no physical test that can diagnose ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. To diagnose ADHD the healthcare provider for your child will adhere to the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are intended for children aged 4 to 18. Adults are more difficult to recognize. This is due to the fact that a person's symptoms may 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 to be diagnosed with ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for a minimum of six months. If your child is being tested for ADHD, it's important that someone familiar with them conducts an interview. This includes their teachers and religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what the effects of their ailments are on their daily functioning and how they compare with other children their own age.
Medication is the most popular treatment option for ADHD. There are both stimulant and nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the most frequently prescribed. These drugs aid in boosting and balance levels of specific brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are drugs that treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who cannot take stimulant drugs due to health problems or severe adverse reactions. They can be combined with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.