ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A medical professional who is evaluating ADHD will interview you and the people closest to you -- your spouse or sibling when you're an adultabout your symptoms. This often provides insight that questionnaires can't uncover.
It's more difficult to identify ADHD in adults, since diagnostic guidelines are created for children. It's crucial to find an ADHD specialist who is willing to evaluate you.
Signs and symptoms
To conduct an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to have the patient discuss openly and honestly about the symptoms and how they affect his life. Some adults are reluctant to admit that they are having trouble paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best method to take control of the symptoms and live a a more fulfilling life.
The person being evaluated is asked to provide details about their personal and medical history, from childhood until now. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychological 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 least two major settings, such as work or school. The evaluator must be able to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or intellectual impairment.
A doctor can also employ ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales in conjunction with an interview to collect information on the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning, and working memory can help in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Based on the circumstances doctors will often request permission to speak with people close to the person who could offer valuable advice and help. For example, they might ask for the names of parents, spouses or siblings to talk with them about the individual's issues at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually 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 resemble like ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct an examination of the brain to determine if there are any indications of brain damage or injury that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to determine the presence of any other conditions that could interfere with treatment, such as depression, alcohol or substance abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine symptoms that can be seen in different situations, like at work, at home or at school. The symptoms must also persist for a prolonged period of time. The doctor will then assess the extent to which your symptoms affect your everyday 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.
To diagnose children, doctors adhere to the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will assess the symptoms of your child and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will comprise a review of your child's medical family, psychiatric, or medical history. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior affects their mood, behavior and work.
For adults, it's difficult to determine a diagnosis. The DSM-V is a diagnostic tool designed for children. There is some debate as to whether the criteria still apply to adults. To meet how to get an adult adhd diagnosis 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 an extended time period, and they must significantly hinder their daily life at school, at home, or work.
In addition to conducting a clinical interview, your doctor may request additional tests to determine the severity of the child's symptoms. This could include a blood or EEG test. Other tests may help identify conditions that could be similar to learning disabilities or depressive disorders.
A request to your family doctor to refer you to an expert who can evaluate your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is the best place to begin. You can also contact your insurance provider to see whether there are specialists that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to contact an organization that supports local residents and request suggestions. You can also try calling the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school to get a list of professionals who perform ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The symptoms of ADHD can lead to serious issues at school and work and affect relationships. Getting a diagnosis and taking medication can improve functioning and reduce symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also need to change their lifestyle like adjusting their sleeping schedules, using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care physician or a mental health professional. During this in-person interview, the practitioner will cover subjects like the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and issues. The doctor will inquire about the individual's behavior, performance and productivity, and if they have trouble with impulsive behavior or focus. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when they began, and from where, and the amount of distress they cause.
The evaluator may need to talk to other people in the patient's life, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults as well as teachers, coaches and daycare providers for children. They can provide insights that questionnaires cannot, such as the reasons why a person might stop tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, and what situations cause symptoms.
ADHD is treated by various behavioral therapies and medications. The medications can include stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and dexamfetamine. These drugs boost blood flow to the brain and suppress actions that are impulsive which allows people to be attentive and follow instructions. These drugs can be administered either orally or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD come up with strategies to overcome the challenges they experience. Therapists can help individuals learn how to organize their lives, track their appointments and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms can have on work and home life. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a fantastic way to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach strategies for dealing with stress and assist in resolving conflicts that might occur.
Medication
To allow a medical professional to identify ADHD, they must evaluate several things. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, at school, and in other settings. They will also use scales and questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also inquire about family history. They may also search for other conditions that could be the cause of the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also assess the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's daily life.
There is no physical test for ADHD, like 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 aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 18. It is harder to diagnose ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD may change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must show at least six of the symptoms listed 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 assessed for ADHD it is recommended that they be interviewed by someone who is familiar with them. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily activities and how they perform to other children their age.
The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medication are available to treat ADHD. Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the most commonly prescribed. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are also medications that can treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, however they can be helpful for people who are unable to use stimulant medications because of health issues or severe side effects. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.