ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting not to seek a diagnosis for you or your child. A professional assessment can help you determine the extent of the symptoms and pinpoint their cause.
Your doctor will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to go over your history. They will also interview you, your spouse, family or close friends to gain a personal insights that checklists and self-tests cannot provide.
Signs and symptoms
Get a referral if you suspect your child may have ADHD. He might refer you for more detailed testing or an evaluation to a specialist like a pediatrician or psychiatrist. You should also bring school records to the appointment as the doctor will want to know how your child's condition compares to his peers of similar age. The doctor will use standard ratings scales to assess the severity of symptoms and how long they've been in the same condition for.
A thorough assessment will examine your child's growth, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also talk to you and any other adults who play a role to your child's life like coaches or teachers. Discuss the issues you've observed in your child's behavior, like difficulties with homework or failure to finish tasks at home or school.
Teens and children often have a limited attention span and it's not uncommon for them to lose focus during games or other activities. However it is a sign that your child appears to be prone to forgetting things or is unable to follow instructions or makes careless mistakes in their schoolwork, chores or work it could be a sign of ADHD.
Hyperactivity is a different sign of ADHD It's not uncommon for children to fidget or move around too much in class or with friends. At home, they might be seen running or climbing in inappropriate places or struggle to sit still for long periods of duration. They might interrupt conversations or blurt out answers.
Inattentive ADHD can be misinterpreted as daydreaming in adults with no any 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
The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with a person's daily functioning whether at school, home or at work. They can also cause problems with social interactions and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms are not aware that they suffer from an identifiable disorder and aren't seeking treatment. Screening for ADHD can reveal the problem and allow a doctor to suggest treatments.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination as well as a detailed interview with the patient and various other tests and questionnaires. The screening is conducted by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, or a neuroologist or a physician trained in the diagnosis of ADHD. Talk with your GP when you suspect your child might be suffering from ADHD. They can refer your child for a specialist evaluation.
To determine a diagnosis, the healthcare provider will analyze the patient's symptoms, history and past treatment. The healthcare provider will perform an examination of the body, conduct audio and vision screenings and look for any medical conditions which could explain the patient's symptomatology. They will utilize a combination of ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavioral rating scores, and a thorough interview. Patients will be asked to describe their symptoms and how they impact their lives both at home and at school. They will also be asked to provide information from close family members and close friends.
For children, a healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD when they notice six or more signs of inattention and/or five or more indicators of hyperactivity and impulsivity that are listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms should be present for at least six month. They must be noticeable in at least two places like school, at home or in the workplace and have significant impairment. The symptoms should not be caused other physical or mental illnesses.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood is more difficult, because most of the ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children aren't applicable to adults. Certain doctors will interview the patient as well as a close friend or sibling while others prefer using specific psychological tests and continuous performance tests using computers designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If ADHD is not treated, the signs can affect family life, work and school, as well as social relationships. The use of medication can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, improving functioning. get diagnosed with adhd are available and sometimes it takes many attempts to find one that works for an individual. Psychotherapy and behavior modification are important parts of treatment.
A physician who specializes in diagnosing ADHD will conduct a thorough examination. They might refer the patient, depending on the outcome, to another health professional, for example, a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will look over the medical history of the patient as well as their mental health condition, and employ standardized scales of ratings to determine ADHD. The doctor will also ask those who are close to the patientfor example, a teacher, parent or a sibling in the case of adults, or a spouse or sibling for children -- to fill out an interview form that includes questions about ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Different types of medications are available to treat ADHD. The doctor will discuss the most effective treatment with the patient. 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 commonly prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets, or modified-release daily preparations.
Many children suffering from ADHD also have other health issues that also need to be evaluated and treated, including depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is important that parents and children talk about these other health issues with their doctor. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD will see specialists for all of these issues at the same time, to ensure that they are working together to improve their functioning.
It is important to find a healthcare provider who is experienced in treating ADHD, especially when you are starting a treatment. Consult a doctor whose work is covered by your insurance company to recommend a specialist or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD for a list of specialized professionals. You can also contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (CHADD) to locate professionals in your area.
Treatment options
If a doctor suspects a patient of having ADHD the doctor will ask the patient to explain their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also go over the person's medical history, family and psychiatric histories. During the interview, he'll be looking for symptoms that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam may be advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It's important for the evaluator information from those who know the person well, including teachers and family members. The evaluator can use questionnaires to ask about the person's behavior and its impact on their work and personal lives. The evaluator may also request copies of the person's performance evaluations or other records. If the person has a spouse or close friends they could be interviewed by the evaluator. them too.
The evaluator will also want to determine how the individual's ADHD symptoms impact their daily life, for instance in relationships, at school and at work. They may suggest a behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach the person the practical skills needed to manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. For example, a therapist might help the person learn to organize their belongings or schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
The examiner may suggest a variety psychological or neuropsychological assessments to get a better picture of a person's abilities. 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 control the symptoms. The treatment plan could also include psychotherapy or other lifestyle changes, such as altering the way the person performs tasks or using accommodations (tools or modifications to a workplace that allow someone with a disability to work). The National Resource Center on ADHD offers additional information on treatment options for adults.