ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will interview you and your closest family members such as your spouse, sibling, or friend when you're an adult- about your symptoms. This can provide insight that questionnaires cannot.
Finding out if you have ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge, as diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It's important to find a specialist with the field who takes the time when evaluating you.
Symptoms
The first step in the process of conducting an ADHD assessment is to have the patient talk honestly and openly about the symptoms and how they impact his daily life. Adults may not want admit to having trouble paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks. However, getting an accurate diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a more enjoyable life.
The person being evaluated is asked to tell them about their personal and medical history from childhood to the present. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines for the treatment of this disorder 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. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two major situations, like school or work. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out any other conditions that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual disability.
A doctor can also employ ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to gather data on the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Depending on the situation doctors will often request permission to contact people close to the person who could provide valuable insight and support. For instance, they could request the names of spouses, parents or siblings to talk with them about the person's problems at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD assessment, since it can help determine other disorders that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that look like ADHD. The evaluator might also conduct a neurological exam to determine if there is any evidence of damage or injury to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator may also recommend urine and blood tests to evaluate for the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression, alcohol or substance abuse.
Diagnosis
In determining ADHD the doctor will be looking for signs that can be observed in various situations, such as at school, home or at work. The symptoms must last for a long period of time. Then, the doctor will evaluate how these symptoms interfere with your day-to-day life. 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 the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will assess the symptoms of your child and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview with a clinical psychologist. The interview will discuss your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric background. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior impacts their daily mood, behaviors, and productivity.
For adults, it's more difficult to establish a diagnosis. The DSM-V is designed to help diagnose 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. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk must be present for a prolonged period of time and interfere with everyday functioning at school, work or home.
Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor may conduct additional tests to determine the severity of the child's symptoms. These may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests may help identify conditions that could be producing the same symptoms as depressive or learning disabilities.
The suggestion of asking your family physician to refer you to a specialist who can evaluate your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is an excellent place to begin. You can also call your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists covered by your policy who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to contact an organization that supports local residents and request suggestions. You can also try calling an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school for the names of specialists who perform ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The signs of ADHD can lead to serious issues in work and school, and interfere with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can improve functioning and reduce symptoms. People with ADHD might also need to change their lifestyle for example, adjusting the time of their sleep or using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD must see his or her primary care doctor, a mental health professional or both to receive an evaluation. In this in-person consultation the professional will discuss issues such as the development of the disorder as well as family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and issues. The practitioner will ask questions about the patient's behavior, performance and productivity, and if they are struggling with impulsive behavior or focus. They will want to know about how the symptoms have lasted on, the location and time they first began and the amount of distress or issues they cause.
The evaluator is likely to want to talk to other people in the patient's life, such as spouses, parents or siblings for adults and coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires don't uncover for example, how the person often stops tasks halfway or forgets things, or what situations cause symptoms.
ADHD is treated using a variety of treatments and medications. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase blood flow to the brain, suppress the impulsive behavior of people and enable them to pay more focus and follow instructions. They can be taken orally or intravenously, and are usually well tolerated.
In addition to medications, therapy can help people with ADHD learn strategies to deal with their difficulties. Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives, manage their appointments, and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the effect ADHD symptoms can have on work and family life. Marriage and family therapy is a great way to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach how to manage stress and resolve conflict that may occur.
Medication
For a health professional to diagnose ADHD it is necessary to evaluate several things. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, in schools, and elsewhere. They may also use scales or questionnaires that are specific for ADHD. They might also request an information about the family history. They will also look for other conditions that could explain the symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's everyday life.
There is no physical test for ADHD that is comparable to a blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are intended for children aged 4 to 18. It is harder to diagnose ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD can change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the child must exhibit more than 6 symptoms that are listed in the diagnostic guidelines. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being tested for ADHD, it's important that someone who is familiar with them interviews them. This includes their teachers as well as religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about how their symptoms affect their daily functioning and how they compare to other children their age.
The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medication can be prescribed to reduce ADHD. Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain brain chemical. Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are also medications that can help treat ADHD. They are less potent than stimulants but can be useful for people who are unable to take stimulants due to serious side effects or health issues. The use of medications can be in conjunction with other treatments, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.