ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will ask you and people close to you -- a spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about the symptoms. This is often a way to gain information that questionnaires cannot.
The process of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge because the diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It is important to find a specialist with the condition who takes his or her time with your evaluation.
Signs and symptoms
The first step in an ADHD assessment is to have the patient talk honestly and openly about his issues and how they impact his daily life. Adults may not want to admit to having trouble paying attention, following instructions or managing tasks. But getting a precise diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a healthier life.
The evaluator will ask the person to provide details about their personal and medical history, from childhood until now. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for treating 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 impairment in at least two major environments, such as school or work. The examiner should also rule out any other conditions which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety or intellectual disabilities.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory skills, and spatial and visual reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors can ask permission, based on the circumstance, to reach out to family members or friends who can offer valuable advice and support. For example, they might seek out 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 typically part of an ADHD assessment, since it can help identify other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. In some cases thyroid problems and seizures may mimic the 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 could explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest blood and urine tests to evaluate for the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression, alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis
In diagnosing ADHD the doctor will be looking for signs that manifest in various situations, such as at school, home or at work. The symptoms should also last for a prolonged period of time. The doctor will then determine the extent to which your symptoms affect your daily 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.
Doctors utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition to determine if children have. They will assess the child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will comprise an overview of your child's medical family, psychiatric, and medical history. You will be asked about your child's mood and behavior as well as their productivity.
It is more difficult to diagnose adults. The DSM-V symptom guide is designed towards diagnosing children. However, there is click here to investigate whether these criteria apply 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. They must be suffering from these symptoms for an extended period of time and must be able to affect their daily functioning at school, home, or work.
Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor might conduct additional tests to determine the extent of your your child's symptoms. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can be used to rule out the cause of the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.
To find a specialist to evaluate your or the child's ADHD begin by asking your doctor for an appointment. You can also reach out to your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your plan. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and solicit suggestions. You can also contact the medical school or university hospital to obtain the names of specialists who perform ADHD evaluations.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious problems at work and at school, and can cause problems with relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD and taking medication to improve your performance can reduce symptoms. People with ADHD may also need to adjust their lifestyle, such as altering their sleep schedules using daily planners or ad hoc exercise.
Anyone suffering from ADHD should see his or her primary care provider, a mental health professional or both to get an evaluation. In this interview, the practitioner will cover issues such as the development of the disorder of the person's family and lifestyle and present symptoms and issues. The doctor will inquire about the individual's behavior, performance and productivity, and if they have trouble with impulsive or focused actions. They'll be interested in finding out how long the symptoms have been going on, the location and time they began, and how much stress or problems they create.
The evaluator may be looking to speak to other people in the patient's life, such as spouses, parents or siblings for adults, as well as coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. These people often provide insight that questionnaires don't uncover, such as the reasons why a person might stop tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, and what circumstances trigger symptoms.
ADHD is treated using various treatments and medications. Medications may include stimulants like amphetamine, or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs improve blood flow to the brain, reduce 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.
Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD come up with strategies to overcome the difficulties they experience. Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to organize their lives and track their appointments, and offer support and guidance in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on family and work. Marriage and family therapy is a great method to address the problems caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also help teach coping skills and help resolve conflict that may arise.
Medication
To diagnose ADHD the health professional will take into consideration various factors. They will ask your child about their symptoms at school, home and other places. They may also use questionnaires or scales specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask about family history. They will also look for other conditions that could explain the symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and if they impact your child's daily life.
There is no physical test to determine ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are geared towards children 4 to 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of ADHD can change with 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, a child must exhibit 6 or more of the symptoms as described in the diagnostic guidelines. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD the child should be evaluated by someone who is familiar with them. This includes teachers and religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about how their symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children of their age.
Medication is the most common form of treatment for ADHD. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to treat ADHD. Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are also drugs that treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, but they are beneficial for those who are unable to take stimulant medication because of health issues or severe side effects. They can be combined in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral treatment.