ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD need a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your history and conduct physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior, as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. This means obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up at work, school or at home, and has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or can't seem to organize or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is true and if so what the treatment options are.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and be evident in at least two different settings (school and at home, as an example). The symptoms should also be affecting your ability to function for example, in class, in creating close relationships, or working as part of a team. It's important to understand that everyone has problems paying attention and staying organized sometimes However, these issues are more serious with ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your physician will conduct an interview and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctors will also review your family history, as well as any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will search for health problems such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you if you have ever had symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you today and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It's a good idea to bring your own list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly when you've written them down. This will help you keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You may also bring old records, such as old reports or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your provider determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or started in recent times. These records can help your provider determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety that share similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed, and the stigma surrounding this disorder is slowly disappearing.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive and unfocused. He also observed that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related the quality of education or home environments. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of APA's psychiatric guide, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. However, in 1955, the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which became the preferred treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968, and listed a number of mental health conditions. The second edition of the manual included a variety of mental health conditions, such as ADHD symptoms.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was increased acceptance and understanding of ADHD. Its name was changed to Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity and the standard definition of three types of ADHD symptoms was established: mostly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The current DSM-5 considers these as presentations, not distinct types and states that they can change throughout a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first occasion that the UK as a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with financial aid, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released guidance on ADHD among children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations on the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been produced by private companies and charities. In recent times there has been an increase in interest in the biological causes of ADHD, and researchers have begun to discover the genes that cause it. This information can help develop better, more targeted treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to determine if they have a diagnosis. They will collect information about the person's past including their family, educational and employment history as well as social and personal. They will review the school records from the past and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they affect life. They will also look at how symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. To meet these criteria, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in multiple settings, cause significant impairment and have started before age 12. The doctor will usually talk to the patient about their symptoms by using the appropriate questionnaire to the specific circumstance. They also employ various ratings scales to assess different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a number of other criteria and include questions like "Do you have difficulty sitting down?" Do adhd diagnosis in adults have trouble organizing your work or activities?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will check to see if there are any medical problems which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if they could be contributing to symptoms.
A person who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete an assessment with their partner or another close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires can't provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to recognize.
Psychological Evaluation
A health care professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also go over the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They typically request that the person bring in report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten to high school. They may also request copies of previous psychological or neuropsychological tests which include IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview portion in an evaluation of the severity of adhd. They might also interview friends, family members and teachers as well as employers. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation because people who are not treated for ADHD are susceptible to serious issues that include financial issues (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failure in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. adhd diagnosis in adults are based on research that compares the behaviors of individuals with ADHD with those of those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important element of the assessment process.
It is crucial to evaluate the individual to determine if there are other conditions that might exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, and medical conditions such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, therefore it is important that a correct diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
To be considered to have ADHD, a child or an adult must meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in at least two settings, such as school, home, or work. The symptoms should also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Generally, the symptoms must begin in the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.