ADHD Diagnosing
It's tempting to not to seek an evaluation for yourself or your child. A professional evaluation will help you determine the severity of symptoms and pinpoint their cause.
Your provider will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to review your past. They'll also interview you and those in your life -- such as your spouse or family members to gain insight that self-tests or checklists can't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Get a referral if you think your child might have ADHD. They may refer you to a specialist such as a psychiatrist, or pediatrician for more thorough assessment or testing. Bring your child's school records to the appointment, as the doctor will be interested in how your child's performance compares to other children. The provider might employ standardized rating scales to measure the severity of your child's symptoms and determine the length of time they've been present.
A thorough assessment will look at your child's medical history as well as mental health history within the family, and developmental. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who play a role in your child's life like coaches or teachers. Discuss any issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, like difficulty with homework or inability to complete assignments at school or at home.
It is common for kids and teens to have a short attention span and lose focus during activities or games. If your child seems to forget things quickly, has trouble following directions, or making careless mistakes with their schoolwork, chores or work, this could be a sign that they are suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity is another sign of ADHD, and it's common for kids to fidget or move around too much in class or while playing with their friends. When they're home, they might be seen running around or climbing up where it's inappropriate or have trouble sitting still for an extended period of time. They may interrupt conversations or utter a few words.
Inattentional ADHD is often mistaken for daydreaming. It is difficult to recognize for adults who don't show signs 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 a person's ability to function in daily life whether at school, work or at home. They can also cause problems with social interactions and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms don't know that they are suffering from an identifiable condition, and they might not seek treatment. A screening for ADHD will help in identifying the disorder and a doctor may recommend solutions.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical examination as well as a thorough interview with the patient and a range of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist, psychotherapist, neurologist, or physician who has been trained to diagnose ADHD. If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD discuss it with your GP who will refer them to an assessment by a specialist.
The healthcare professional will review the patient's symptoms and history and any previous treatments. how to diagnose adhd will conduct an examination of the body, conduct vision and audio screenings, and determine if there are any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptomatology. They will use a combination of ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales, as well as a thorough personal interview. Patients are asked to describe their symptoms and how they affect their lives, at home and at school. They will also be asked to provide information from family members and close friends.
For children, a healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more signs of inattentiveness and/or five or more indicators of hyperactivity and impulsivity listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms should be present for at least six months. They should be evident in at least two different places such as home, school or workplace, and show significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be due to other physical or mental illnesses.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is a challenge, because most of the ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children don't apply to adults. Some doctors interview the patient, someone close to them, or a friend. Other doctors utilize computerized continuous performance tests specifically designed for adults with ADHD.
Medication
If ADHD is not treated, the signs can have a significant impact on the family, work and school as well as social interactions. The medications can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. This improves the functioning. There are many different medications available, and it might take several attempts to find the most appropriate one for a particular person. Psychotherapy and behavior modification can also be important elements of treatment.
A specialist in diagnosing ADHD will perform an extensive examination. Based on the results, she could refer the patient to another health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will look over a patient's medical history and psychiatric condition, and then employ standardized scales of ratings to assess ADHD. The doctor will also ask anyone close to the patient -- a parent, teacher, or sibling in the case of adults; or a spouse or a sibling for children to fill out an interview form with questions regarding ADHD symptoms and impact.
Many different kinds of medication can be used to treat ADHD The doctor will talk with the patient about what is the most appropriate drug. For some, the most effective medication is stimulants. They work by boosting activity in the regions of the brain that control behavior and attention. The most commonly prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.
Many children suffering from ADHD also have other health issues which also require to be assessed and treated, including depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is crucial for parents and child to talk about these other issues with their physician. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD will visit specialists for all of these conditions at the same time to ensure that they're working together to improve their functioning.
It is crucial to find a healthcare provider who has experience in treating ADHD particularly when you are starting treatment. Find a doctor whose practice is covered by your insurance plan for recommendations or contact the National Resource Center for ADHD to find a list of qualified professionals. You can also call your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find the names of professionals in your area.
Treatment options
If a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD the doctor will ask them to describe their symptoms in full detail. The evaluator will also review the person's medical and family history. During the interview the examiner will search for symptoms that match those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam may be advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, like thyroid problems or seizures.
It is essential that the evaluator obtains information from people who know the person very well, such as teachers and relatives. The evaluator can use questionnaires that ask about the person's behavior and how it affects their home and work life. The evaluator may also request an account of the review of performance or other documents. If the person has a spouse or close friends they could be interviewed by the evaluator. them as well.
The evaluator should also try to know how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily functioning, such as in relationships, at school, and at work. He or she might suggest a behavioral therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can help a person learn practical techniques to manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. For instance therapy may assist the patient how to organize their possessions or schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
Depending on the situation, the evaluator might recommend a variety of psychological or neuropsychological tests to get more complete information about the abilities of the 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. Often, the evaluator will prescribe medication to treat the symptoms. The treatment plan may also involve psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as changing the way the person does things or utilizing accommodations (tools or changes in the workplace that help disabled people to participate in a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD provides additional information on treatments for adults.
