ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A medical professional conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and those around you -- a spouse, sibling or a friend for adults -- about symptoms. This may provide information that questionnaires cannot.
It's more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, as the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It is essential to find a doctor who specializes in the field who takes his or her time with your evaluation.
Signs and symptoms
The first step in the initial step of an ADHD evaluation is to have the patient openly and openly about his symptoms and how they impact his life. Adults might not want to admit to having trouble paying attention, following directions or managing tasks. But getting an accurate diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a more enjoyable life.
The person being evaluated is asked to share their medical and personal history, from childhood until now. 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 environments, such as work or school. The evaluator must also rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety or intellectual disability.
In addition to an interview, a doctor may employ behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather information about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess executive functioning, working memory abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning are useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission, based on the circumstance, to contact family members or friends who could provide valuable information and support. For example, they might request the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to talk with them about the individual's issues at home and at work.
A physical exam is often part of an ADHD assessment, since it can help rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. In certain instances, thyroid issues and seizures can mimic symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator could also conduct a neurological examination to determine if there's any sign of injury or damage to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest urine and blood tests to determine the presence of other conditions that may hinder treatment, such as depression, alcohol or addiction.
Diagnosis
In determining ADHD, your doctor will be looking for signs that manifest in various settings, like at school, home or at work. They must be present for a long amount of time. Then, the doctor will evaluate how these symptoms impact 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 follow the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine the child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will discuss your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric history. They will also ask questions about the impact of your child's behavior on their daily mood, behaviors and work.
It is more difficult to diagnose adults. The DSM-V is designed to help diagnose children. There is some debate over whether the criteria still apply in 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 be suffering from these symptoms for a long time period, and they must significantly interfere with their daily activities at home, school or at work.
Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor might order other tests to determine the extent of your or your child's symptoms. These may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help rule out an illness that causes the same symptoms, like learning disabilities or depression.
To find an expert to assess the child's ADHD begin by asking your doctor for a referral. You can also reach out to your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your policy. You can also reach out to a local support group and request recommendations. You could also call a university-based hospital or a medical or graduate school to get an inventory of professionals who can conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious problems at work or in school and interfere with relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can improve functioning and decrease symptoms. People suffering from ADHD may also have to alter their lifestyles like adjusting their the time of their sleep or using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person with ADHD should be evaluated by their primary care physician or a mental health professional. In this interview, the practitioner will cover issues such as the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and problems. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they are having issues with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They will inquire about the duration of the symptoms, when and where they started, and how much distress they cause.
The evaluator will likely need to talk to other people in the life of the patient, like parents, spouses, or siblings for adults, as well as teachers, coaches and daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires can't provide, such as how the person often stops tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things and what types of circumstances trigger symptoms.
ADHD is treated with the use of a variety of behavioral therapies and drugs. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs boost the flow of blood to the brain and decrease actions that are impulsive that allow people to pay attention and follow directions. These drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
In addition to medications Therapy can help those with ADHD develop strategies to compensate for their difficulties. Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives and keep track of appointments, and offer assistance and guidance when dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on family and at work. Therapy for families and marriage is a great method to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also help teach how to manage stress and resolve conflict that may occur.
Medication
In order for a medical professional to identify ADHD the doctor must look at several things. They will ask about your child's behavior at home, in school and in other places. They may also use questionnaires and scales specifically designed for ADHD. They may also inquire about the history of their family. They will search for other conditions that may explain the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's life.
There is no physical test to determine ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. To get a diagnosis your child's doctor will follow guidelines that were developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are designed for children between 4 and 18 years of age. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. 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 as having ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being tested for ADHD It is crucial that someone familiar with them interview them. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily functioning, and how they compare with other children their own age.
The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis and atomoxetine are also drugs that treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, however they are beneficial for people who cannot take stimulant medications due to health problems or serious adverse reactions. The use of medications can be in conjunction with other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy.