ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will interview you and those closest to you -- your spouse, sibling, or friend when you're an adultabout your symptoms. This can provide insights that questionnaires don't.
It's more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, as diagnostic guidelines are designed for children. It is essential to find a doctor who specializes in the field who takes the time with your evaluation.
Symptoms
For an ADHD assessment, the initial step is to allow the patient to talk openly and honestly about his symptoms and how they affect his life. Adults may not want admit to having trouble paying attention, following directions or organising tasks. But getting an accurate diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a more enjoyable 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 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 caused significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work or school. The evaluator must be able to rule out other conditions that can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD like anxiety, depression or intellectual impairment.
A doctor may also use ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functioning skills and visual and spatial reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors can ask permission depending on the situation to speak with family members or friends who may offer valuable insight and support. For example, they might request the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to speak with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.
A physical exam is typically part of an ADHD evaluation, as it can help identify other disorders that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid issues and seizures can trigger symptoms that look like ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct an examination of the neurological system to determine if there are indications of injury or damage to the brain that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest blood and urine tests to check for the presence of other conditions that may hinder treatment, such as depression, alcohol or addiction.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that can be seen in different settings, like at work, home, or school. The symptoms should also last for a long period of time. The doctor will assess how much these symptoms interfere with your daily routine. 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.
To diagnose children, doctors must follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine the child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They might also conduct a clinical interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric background. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior affects their daily mood, behaviors and work.
For adults, it is difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V is designed to diagnose children. There is some debate as to whether the criteria still 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. These symptoms must be present for a prolonged time and must interfere with the daily activities at school, work, or home.
Your doctor might also recommend additional tests in addition to an interview with you to determine the nature and severity of your symptoms or the child's. These might include a blood test or an EEG. Other tests can be used to rule out the cause of the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.
A request to your family doctor to refer you to an expert who can evaluate your ADHD or that of your child is the best place to begin. You can also contact your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your plan. You can also reach out to an organization in your area and request recommendations. You could also call the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school for a list of professionals who conduct ADHD evaluations.
undiagnosed adhd adults can cause serious problems at work and at school, and can cause problems with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can help improve functioning and decrease symptoms. People suffering from ADHD may also need to make lifestyle adjustments for example, changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or ad hoc exercise.
A person with ADHD should see their primary care provider, a mental health professional or both to receive an assessment. In the interview in person the practitioner will talk about topics such as development, family history, lifestyle, and the current symptoms. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance, productivity, and if they have problems with impulsive or focusing actions. They'll be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have gone on, where and when they first began and how much distress or problems they create.
The evaluator may want to talk to other people who are involved in the patient's daily life, including parents, spouses siblings teachers, coaches, daycare providers, or even friends. These people can offer insights that questionnaires don't uncover, such as how the person often stops tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, and what situations cause symptoms.
ADHD is treated using various treatments and medications. The medications can include stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant medications such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs increase blood circulation to the brain, reduce the impulsive behavior of people and enable them to pay more attention and follow directions. They can be administered either orally or intravenously and are usually well tolerated.
Therapy can help those with ADHD come up with strategies to deal with the difficulties they encounter. Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to organize their lives and track their appointments, and provide assistance and advice in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on their home and at work. Marriage and family therapy 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 diagnose ADHD the health care professional must consider various factors. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, at school and in other places. They may also use scales or questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask about the history of their family. They will also look for other conditions that could be the cause of the symptoms, for example mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also assess how severe the symptoms are and if they affect your child's daily life.
There is no physical test that can determine ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are intended for children aged between 4 and 18. Adults are more difficult to recognize. This is due to the fact that a person's symptoms may change over 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 more than 6 symptoms as described in the diagnostic guidelines. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD the child should be questioned by a person who knows them well. This includes teachers and coaches, religious leaders, 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 treatment option for ADHD. There are stimulant and non-stimulant medications that are prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. These drugs help boost and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Other drugs that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine, as well as antipsychotics. They are less potent than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for those who are unable to use stimulants due to serious adverse effects or health issues. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy.