ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A medical professional who is evaluating ADHD will interview you and your closest family members -- your spouse or sibling if you're an adult -- about your symptoms. This is often a way to gain information that questionnaires cannot.
It's more difficult to identify ADHD in adults, as diagnostic guidelines are developed for children. It is crucial to find an ADHD specialist who is willing to evaluate your situation.
Signs and symptoms
For an ADHD assessment, the initial step is to allow the patient to be honest and open about the symptoms and how they affect his life. Some adults do not want to admit they struggle with paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of symptoms and live an enjoyable life.
The person being evaluated is asked to provide details about their medical and personal history from childhood up to now. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the condition 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. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis must have caused significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as school or at work. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out other disorders that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales in conjunction with an interview to collect information on the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functioning abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission, based on the circumstance, to contact family members or friends who may offer valuable advice and support. They might ask for the names and contact information of parents, spouses, or siblings in order to speak with them about the individual's issues at home and at the workplace.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD evaluation, as it can help determine other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that look like ADHD. The evaluator can also perform an examination of the neurological system to determine if there are any indications of brain damage or injury which could cause the symptoms. The evaluator could also recommend blood and urinary tests to determine if there is other conditions that might affect treatment. For example depression, depression, or alcohol or drug 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 work. The symptoms must last for a long period of time. The doctor will determine how much these symptoms interfere with 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 follow the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review your child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric history. You will be asked about your child's mood, behavior, and performance.
It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V symptom guide is geared towards diagnosing children. However, there is some debate over whether these criteria are still applicable to adulthood. 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. They must exhibit these symptoms for a long period of time and have them significantly affect their daily life at school, at home, or work.
Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor may request other tests to determine extent of your or the child's symptoms. This may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help identify a condition that is causing similar symptoms, such as depression or learning disabilities.
To find an expert to evaluate your the child's ADHD begin by asking your doctor for a referral. You can also contact your insurance company to find out if professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your insurance plan. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and ask for suggestions. You can also contact the medical school or university hospital to request the list of specialists who perform ADHD assessments.
Treatment
Symptoms of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and at work and affect relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can improve functioning and decrease symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also need to change their lifestyle, such as adjusting the time of their sleep and using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care physician or a mental health professional. In this in-person consultation, the practitioner will cover issues such as the development of the disorder as well as family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and issues. The doctor will ask questions about the patient's performance, behavior, and productivity, and if they have trouble with impulsive behavior or focus. They will inquire about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when and where they started, and the level of distress they cause.
The evaluator may need to talk to other people in the patient's life, like parents, spouses, or siblings for adults and teachers, coaches and daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot give, such as the fact that the person often forgets or stops work in mid-stream. They may also be able to reveal what triggers symptoms.
Many different behavioral therapies and medications are used to treat ADHD. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase blood circulation to the brain, reducing impulsive behavior and allow people to pay attention and follow directions. They can be administered by mouth or intravenously, and are generally well-tolerated.
In addition to medications, therapy can help people with ADHD learn strategies to compensate for their issues. Therapists can help individuals learn how to organize their lives, keep track of appointments and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the effects ADHD symptoms have on work and family life. Marriage and family therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder that affects relationships and teach coping skills for conflict and discord that can arise in these situations.
Medication
To determine if your child has ADHD the health care professional must consider various factors. They will inquire with your child about their symptoms at school, at home and other places. They may also use scales or questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also request an information about the family history. They will also look for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as mood disorders and learning disabilities. They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's daily life.
There isn't a physical test for ADHD such as a blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are geared towards children 4 to 18 years old. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD may change as time passes. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must show six or more of the symptoms described in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for a minimum of six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD It is crucial that someone familiar with them interview them. This includes their teachers as well as religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. You should also inquire how their symptoms affect their daily activities and how they perform to other children their age.
The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant and non-stimulant medications that are prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed. These drugs balance and increase levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can treat ADHD. They are less potent than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for those who are unable to use stimulants due to serious adverse effects or health issues. Medications can be used in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.