ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting to not seek a diagnosis for yourself or your child. A professional assessment can help you determine the severity of symptoms and pinpoint the root of the problem.
Your provider will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to review your history. They will also interview you, your spouse, family or your friends to gain personal insights that checklists and self-tests cannot provide.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect your child might have ADHD Get a referral from his health medical professional. He could refer you to more detailed testing or an evaluation to a specialist like psychiatrist or pediatrician. It is also recommended to bring school records to the appointment since the doctor will want to know how your child's performance compares to his peers with the same age. The provider might utilize standardized rating scales in order to determine the severity of your child's symptoms and to determine how long they have been present.
A thorough assessment will examine your child's development, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also speak with you and other important adults in your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. You should talk to your child about any problems you've observed in their behavior, such as not completing homework or other tasks at school or home.
Children and teens often have a short attention span and it's common for them to lose their focus in games or activities. If your child is unable to remember things quickly, having difficulty following instructions or making mistakes with their schoolwork, chores, or work, this could be a sign they are suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity could also be a sign of ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to fidget and move around a lot during class or playing with their friends. When they're at home, they may be seen running around or climbing up when it's not appropriate or struggle to sit still for an extended period of time. They may mutter answers or interrupt other people in conversations, and they're not able to hold their breath waiting for their turn.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and it can be hard to diagnose in adults who don't have indications of hyperactivity. Adults with this form of the disorder often don't meet symptom criteria for either the hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD, so providers assign an unspecified diagnosis.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can hinder the person's ability to function in daily life whether at work, school or at home. They can also cause issues with relationships and socialization. Many people who suffer from these symptoms do not realize that they are suffering from an identifiable condition, and they may not seek help. A test for ADHD can help identify the condition and a physician can recommend solutions.
Screening for ADHD is a medical test and a thorough interview with the patient, and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is carried out by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, neuroologist, or a doctor who has been trained to diagnose ADHD. Talk to your GP if you suspect that your child may have ADHD. They could refer your child to an evaluation by a specialist.
To establish a diagnosis the healthcare professional will look over the patient's symptoms, their history and previous treatment. The healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam, conduct audio and vision screenings, and search for any medical conditions that could be the cause of the patient's symptoms. They will make use of a mix of ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales as well conducting a thorough interview. Patients are asked to describe their symptoms and how they impact their lives at home and at school. They will also be asked to provide information from family members and close friends.
For children, a doctor is able to diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more symptoms of inattention, or five or more indicators of impulsivity and hyperactivity identified in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms have to be present for at least six months. They must be apparent in at least two locations such as school, home or at the workplace, and demonstrate significant impairment. adults diagnosed with adhd cannot be due to other mental disorders or physical illnesses.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is a challenge as the majority of ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children don't apply to adults. Certain doctors interview the patient, an immediate family member or friend. Others use computers to conduct continuous performance tests that are specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If a person suffering from ADHD is not treated, their symptoms may negatively impact work, family or school, as well as social interactions. The medications reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. This improves the functioning. Several different medications are available, and sometimes it takes several attempts to find the one that works for an individual. Psychotherapy and behavior modification can also be crucial elements of treatment.
A physician who specializes in diagnosing ADHD will perform an extensive assessment. Based on the results, she could refer the patient to a different health specialist, such as psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will examine the medical history of the patient as well as their the psychiatric issue, and employ standardized scales of ratings to assess ADHD. The doctor will also interview anyone close to the patient -- a parent, teacher or sibling in the case of adults, or a spouse or sibling in the case of children -- to fill out an interview form that contains questions regarding ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Several different types of medication can be used to treat ADHD and the doctor will discuss with the patient which is the most appropriate drug. For some people the most effective treatment is stimulants, which act by increasing activity in areas of the brain that regulate behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release, once-daily formulations.
Many children who suffer from ADHD are also suffering from other health issues which also require to be assessed and treated for anxiety, depression or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and children to talk about these other conditions with their physician. Ideally, the person with ADHD will be seen by specialists for all of these disorders simultaneously, to ensure that they are working together to improve their functioning.
When you are beginning a medication it is crucial to seek out an expert in the field who has experience in treating ADHD. Consult a doctor who's practice is covered by your insurance plan for a recommendation or contact the National Resource Center for ADHD to find a list of experts who are certified. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to get names of specialists in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects that someone has ADHD If a doctor suspects that someone has ADHD, he or she will ask them to describe their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also review the individual's medical history, family and psychiatric histories. During the interview, he'll be looking for signs that are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam might be advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems.
It is crucial for the evaluator to get information from people who know the person well, such as teachers and family members. The evaluator may use questionnaires to ask about the person's behavior and the impact it has on their work and personal lives. The evaluator may also request a copy of the person's performance appraisals or other documents. If the person has a spouse or close friends they could be interviewed by the evaluator. them as well.
The evaluator will also want to know how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily functioning, for example in relationships, at school, and at work. They may suggest a behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or family therapy. Behavioral therapy can help a person learn practical techniques to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. For instance therapy may assist the patient in learning to organize their belongings or schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
The examiner may suggest a variety of neuropsychological or psychological assessments to get a better understanding of the capabilities of a person. These tests might include cognitive testing, such as IQ or academic achievement tests, as well as brain wave measurements using a device called an electroencephalograph (EEG).
The evaluator will decide if the symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD and whether they fall under the inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD. The evaluator may prescribe medication to treat symptoms. The treatment plan could include psychotherapy or other lifestyle changes such as changing how the person conducts themselves, or using accommodations. The National Resource Center on ADHD offers additional information on treatment options for adults.