ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and people close to you -- such as your spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about the symptoms. This will provide information that questionnaires are not able to provide.
Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is trickier since the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It's important to find a specialist in the field who takes his or her time in evaluating your case.
Signs and symptoms
For an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to allow the patient to talk openly and honestly about the symptoms and how they impact his life. Adults may not want to admit they have trouble paying attention, following instructions or organizing tasks. However, getting an accurate diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a healthier life.
The person being evaluated is asked to tell them about their personal and medical history from childhood up to now. The evaluator will also review the American Psychological Association's clinical guidelines for 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. The symptoms must have led to significant impairments in at minimum two crucial settings, such as school or work. The evaluator should be able to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety or intellectual disability.
In addition to an interview, a doctor might use behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather details about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning, and working memory may help identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission depending on the situation to reach out to family members or friends who could provide valuable information and help. For instance, they could seek out the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to interview them about the individual's issues at home and at work.
A physical exam is often part of an ADHD evaluation, as it can help determine other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that resemble like ADHD. The evaluator could also perform a neurological examination to determine if there are any symptoms of brain injury or damage that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to determine the presence of other medical conditions that could interfere with treatment, such as depression or alcohol and substance abuse.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will look for signs that can be observed in various settings, like at school, home, or work. The symptoms must also persist for a prolonged period of time. The doctor will determine the extent to which your symptoms interfere with everyday activities. 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.
Doctors employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will examine your child's symptoms, and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will consist of a review of your child's medical family, psychiatric, or medical history. You will be asked questions about your child's mood, behavior, and performance.
For adults, it's trickier to make a diagnosis. The DSM-V is designed to help diagnose children. There is some debate over whether the criteria are still applicable 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 an extended time period and have them significantly affect their daily functioning at school, at home, or work.
Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor may conduct additional tests to determine the severity of your child's symptoms. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can help identify the cause of the same symptoms, like learning disabilities or depression.
To find an expert to evaluate your the child's ADHD, you can start by asking your family physician for a referral. You can also call your insurance provider to see whether there are any specialists covered by your policy who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also reach out to a local group of support and ask for suggestions. You can also contact a university-based hospital or a medical or graduate school to get an inventory of professionals who perform ADHD evaluations.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious issues at work and in school and interfere with relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD taking medication and enhancing your performance can reduce symptoms. People with ADHD might also have to alter their lifestyles like changing their sleeping schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD should be evaluated by their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. During the in-person interview an expert will discuss subjects like the development of the disorder, family history, lifestyle, and the current symptoms. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance, productivity, and if they are having issues with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They will want to know about how long the symptoms have gone on, when and where they started and how much stress or problems they cause.
The evaluator will likely need to talk to other people who are 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 are unable to provide, such as the fact that the patient often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also provide insight into the triggers for symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines 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 flow to the brain, reducing impulse-driven behavior, and permit people to pay more attention and follow directions. The drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
Alongside medication, therapy can help people with ADHD develop strategies to compensate for their issues. Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to manage their lives and keep track of appointments, and provide assistance and guidance when dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on their home and work life. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help address problems caused by the disorder that affects relationships, as well as teaching coping skills for conflict and discord that can occur in these situations.
Medication
To determine if your child has ADHD, a health care professional must consider various factors. get adhd diagnosis will ask your child about their symptoms at school, at home and in other locations. They will also use scales and questionnaires that are specific to ADHD. They might also inquire about family history. They will also look for other conditions that may explain the symptoms, for example mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and whether they are affecting your child's daily routine.
There is no physical test to determine ADHD. This includes X-rays and blood tests. To get a diagnosis the healthcare provider for your child will adhere to the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are geared towards children between 4 and 18 years old. It is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults. This is because the 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 show six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being tested for ADHD it is essential that someone who is familiar with them interviews them. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders, and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about the effects of their symptoms on their daily lives 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 treat ADHD. Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed. These drugs help boost and balance levels of specific brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can treat ADHD. They are not as potent as stimulants, but are useful for people who are unable to take stimulants due too severe side effects or health problems. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.