ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A medical professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will ask you and those around you -- a spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about symptoms. This will provide information that questionnaires can't.
iampsychiatry.com is more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, as the guidelines for diagnosis are developed for children. It's crucial to locate an ADHD specialist who will take the time to evaluate your situation.
Symptoms
To conduct an ADHD assessment, the first step is to have the patient be honest and open about his symptoms and how they affect his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit that they are having trouble paying attention and following directions or organising tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of symptoms and live happier and healthier lives.
The examiner will inquire of the person about their medical and personal history from childhood until the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychological 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. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two important environments, such as work or school. In addition, the evaluator must rule out any other conditions that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual disability.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to gather information about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, working memory skills, and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Depending on the situation, doctors often ask for permission to talk with those close to the person who could provide valuable information and help. For instance, they may seek out the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to speak with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.
A physical examination is typically part of an ADHD evaluation. It can help rule other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In some instances thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator may conduct a neurological examination to determine if there's any indication of injury or damage to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to check for the presence of other conditions that could interfere with treatment, like depression or alcohol and drug abuse.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing ADHD the doctor will be looking for signs that are present in different situations, such as at home, school, or work. The symptoms must also persist for a long time. The doctor will determine the extent to which your symptoms impact 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 use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will assess your child's symptoms, and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct a clinical interview. The interview will include your child's medical history, family history, and psychiatric history. They will also inquire about how your child's behavior impacts their mood, behavior and work.
For adults, it is trickier to make a diagnosis. The DSM-V is a diagnostic tool designed for children. There is some debate about whether the criteria are still applicable 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 a prolonged duration of time and must be able to interfere with their daily life at home, school, or work.
In addition to conducting a clinical interview, your doctor might conduct other tests to determine the extent of your or your child's symptoms. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests may help rule out conditions that are producing the same symptoms as depression or learning disabilities.
Asking your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who can assess your ADHD or that of your child is the best place to begin. You can also call your insurance company to find out if there are professionals covered by your policy who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also contact an organization in your area and request recommendations. You can also try calling the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school for an inventory of professionals who perform ADHD evaluations.
Treatment
The symptoms of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and work, and interfere with relationships. Getting a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve functioning and reduce symptoms. People suffering from ADHD might also have to adjust their lifestyle, such as changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or ad hoc exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD must see the primary care physician or a mental health professional or both to receive an evaluation. In this in-person consultation the professional will discuss issues such as development as well as family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and problems. The practitioner will ask questions about the patient's behavior, performance and productivity and whether they have trouble with impulsive or focused actions. They'll be interested in knowing how the symptoms have lasted on, the location and time they began, and how much distress or problems they can cause.
The evaluator might want to speak to other people who are involved in the patient's everyday life, including parents, spouses, siblings teachers, coaches, daycare providers, or even friends. These people can offer insights 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.
Many behavioral therapies and medications help treat ADHD. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant medications such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs increase blood flow to the brain, reducing impulse-driven behavior, and permit people to pay attention and follow directions. They can be administered orally or intravenously, and are generally well-tolerated.
Therapy can help people with ADHD develop strategies to overcome the difficulties they encounter. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives and track their appointments, and offer support and guidance in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on their home and work life. Marriage and family therapy is a great way to address the problems caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also help teach coping skills and help resolve conflicts that might arise.
Medication
For an expert to diagnose ADHD, they must evaluate many things. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, at schools, and elsewhere. They may also use scales or questionnaires that are specific for ADHD. They may also ask about the history of their family. They will search for other conditions that could cause the symptoms, for example mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also assess the severity of the symptoms and if they are affecting your child's daily routine.
There isn't a physical test for ADHD that is comparable to a blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are designed for children aged 4-18 years old. Adults are more difficult to recognize. 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.
A child must display six or more of the symptoms described in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. The guidelines also state the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD It is crucial that someone familiar with them interviews them. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders and other caregivers. You should also ask them what the effects of their ailments are on their daily life and how they perform to other children their age.
The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to treat ADHD. The most common stimulants prescribed are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other stimulants. These drugs help boost and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, however they can be beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant medications because of health issues or serious adverse reactions. Medications can be used in combination with other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy.