ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting to avoid an assessment for your child or yourself. However, a professional evaluation will help you pinpoint the cause of the symptoms and determine the severity.
Your doctor will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to review your history. They'll also interview you and those in your life -- spouse or family members, as well as friends to gain insight that self-tests and checklists cannot provide.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from ADHD, get an appointment with your health medical professional. He could refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, or pediatrician, to conduct more extensive testing or evaluation. It is also recommended to bring the school records with you to your appointment, because the provider will want to know how your child's condition compares to his peers of the same age. The provider may employ standardized rating scales to measure the severity of your child's symptoms and to determine the time since they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will examine your child's medical history, mental health history within the family, and developmental. The doctor will also speak with you and other important adults in your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. Discuss the issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, such as trouble with homework or failing to complete tasks at school or at home.
It's normal for teens and children to have short attention spans and lose focus during activities or games. If adhd adults diagnosis seems to forget things easily, having trouble following instructions, or making careless mistakes in their schoolwork, chores or at work, it could be a sign they suffer from ADHD.
Hyperactivity is another symptom of ADHD It's normal for children to fidget or move around too much in class or when playing with their friends. If they're at home, they might play or run around in places in areas that aren't appropriate or have difficulty sitting for a long period of time. They may interrupt conversations or mutter out answers.
Inattentional ADHD can be mistaken for daydreaming in adults with no indications 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 the person's ability to perform in everyday life at work, school, or home. They can also lead to difficulties with social interaction and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms are unaware that they suffer from an identifiable disorder and may not seek treatment. A test for ADHD can help to identify the disorder and a physician can suggest treatments.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination and a thorough interview with the patient and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is done by a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist, as well as a neurologist or physician who is skilled in the diagnosis of ADHD. If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD, talk to your GP, who can refer them to an assessment by a specialist.
To make a diagnosis, the healthcare provider will analyze the patient's symptoms, history and treatment history. The healthcare professional will conduct an examination of the body, conduct vision and audio screenings, and determine if there are any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptomatology. They will use a combination ADHD symptoms checklist as well as standardized behavioral rating scores and a thorough assessment. The patient will also be asked about their history of symptoms and how they affect their lives at home, at school and at work. The patient will be asked to provide information from close relatives and friends.
For children, a doctor can diagnose ADHD when they observe six or more symptoms of inattention, or five or more symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity as identified in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must have these symptoms for at minimum six months. They must be visible in at least two locations, such as school, home or the workplace, and show an impairment that is significant. The symptoms cannot be caused by physical or mental illnesses.
Adults are more difficult to identify as having ADHD because the ADHD diagnostic tools that are utilized for adolescents and children do not apply to adults. Some doctors will conduct an interview with the patient as well as a close friend or sibling however, others prefer using specific psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests that are designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If a person with ADHD is not treated, their symptoms could negatively impact the family, work, school, and social relationships. The medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. This improves the functioning. There are a variety of medications available, and it might take several attempts to find the most appropriate one for you. Psychotherapy and behavior modification can also be important components of treatment.
A doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD will perform an exhaustive evaluation. The doctor might refer the patient, depending on the outcome to a different health professional, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will go over the patient's medical and mental background, and then employ the standard rating scales for assessing ADHD symptoms. The doctor will also ask someone close to the patient -such as a teacher, parent, or a sibling in the case of adults; or a spouse or sibling for children -- to fill out an interview form that contains questions about ADHD symptoms and impact.
Different kinds of medications are available to treat ADHD. The doctor will discuss the best medication with the patient. For some people the most effective treatment is stimulants. They work by enhancing the activity in the areas of the brain that regulate behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets, or modified-release daily preparations.
Children who suffer from ADHD often suffer from other health conditions that require evaluation like anxiety, depression or mood disorders. It is important that parents and children talk about these other conditions with their healthcare provider. Idealy, the person with ADHD should consult a specialist for these conditions at once to ensure they are working together to improve their functioning.
It is essential to find a doctor who is skilled in treating ADHD and especially when it comes to starting treatment. Ask a physician whose practice is covered by your insurance provider to recommend a specialist or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD for a list of qualified specialists. 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
If a doctor suspects a patient of having ADHD He will ask them to describe their symptoms in great detail. The evaluator will also review the person's medical and family history. During the interview, he will be looking for signs that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam may be advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
It's crucial that the evaluator obtains information from people who know the person well, like teachers and relatives. The evaluator could utilize questionnaires to inquire about the person's behavior and how it affects their work and home life. The evaluator can also ask for an account of the person's performance reviews, or other documents. If the person has an intimate relationship with a spouse or other close friends, the evaluator might interview them too.
The evaluator should also try to understand how the person's ADHD symptoms impact their daily life, for instance in relationships, at school and at work. He or she might suggest a behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can help the person develop practical techniques to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. A therapist could for instance, show the patient how to manage their belongings and schedule regular 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 could prescribe medication to treat symptoms. The treatment plan may include psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as changing the way the person performs tasks or using accommodations (tools or changes in a workplace that make it easier for those with disabilities to work). The National Resource Center on ADHD provides additional information on treatments for adults.