ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will ask you, and your closest family members -- your spouse or sibling if you're an adult -about your symptoms. This is often a way to gain information that questionnaires cannot.
Finding out if you have ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge because the diagnostic guidelines are geared toward children. It is essential to find an ADHD professional who will take the time to assess you.
Symptoms
The first step in the process of conducting an ADHD evaluation is to have the patient talk honestly and openly about the symptoms and how they impact his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit they struggle with paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of symptoms and live an enjoyable life.
The person being evaluated is asked to provide details about their medical and personal history, from childhood until now. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric 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 settings, such as school or work. The evaluator must also rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or intellectual disabilities.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to gather data about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning and working memory can help identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission, based on the circumstance, to speak with family members or friends who could offer valuable insight and help. They may request the names and contact numbers of the spouse, parents, or siblings in order to speak with them about the person's problems both at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually included in an ADHD evaluation. It helps rule other conditions 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 brain to determine if there are any signs of injury or damage to the brain that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest urine and blood tests to check for the presence of other medical conditions that could interfere with treatment, like depression, alcohol or substance abuse.
Diagnosis
In diagnosing ADHD the doctor will look for signs that manifest in various environments, such as at home, school or at work. The symptoms must last for a prolonged period of time. Then, the doctor will assess how much these symptoms impact 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 follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will evaluate the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric history. adult adhd diagnosis uk will be asked about your child's mood and behavior, as well as productivity.
For adults, it's more difficult to establish a diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is targeted towards diagnosing children, but there is some disagreement about whether these criteria still apply to adulthood. 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 an extended period of time and have them significantly hinder their daily life at school, home, or work.
Your doctor may also request additional tests in addition to a clinical interview to determine the nature and severity of your symptoms or the child's. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can help rule out a condition that is causing similar symptoms, such as learning disabilities or depression.
A request to your family doctor to refer you to a specialist who can assess your ADHD or that of your child is a good place to start. You can also contact your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your insurance plan. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and request suggestions. You can also contact an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school for the names of specialists who perform ADHD assessments.
Treatment
Symptoms of ADHD can lead to serious issues at school and at work and can affect relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD taking medication and enhancing your functioning can help reduce symptoms. People suffering from ADHD might also need to make lifestyle changes for example, adjusting sleep schedules and using a daily planner or increasing exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD must see the primary care doctor or psychiatrist or both for an assessment. During this in-person interview the professional will discuss topics including the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and concerns. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance and productivity, as well as whether they are struggling with impulsive or focused actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when and where they started, and the level of distress they cause.
The evaluator may want to discuss other people who are involved in the patient's everyday life, such as parents, spouses, siblings teachers, coaches daycare providers, or family members. They can provide information that questionnaires cannot, such as the fact that a person often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also provide insight into the triggers for symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines treat ADHD. The medication may contain stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and dexamfetamine. These drugs increase blood flow to the brain and reduce actions that are impulsive which allows people to concentrate and follow instructions. The drugs can be taken intravenously or orally, and they are generally well tolerated.
In addition to medication Therapy can help those with ADHD develop strategies to deal with their issues. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives, manage their appointments and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms can have on work and family life. Family and marriage therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder of relationships, as well as teaching coping skills for conflict and discord that could arise in these situations.
Medication
To determine if your child has ADHD A health professional will take into consideration many factors. They will ask your child about his or her symptoms at school, at home and in other places. They may also use questionnaires and scales that are specific to ADHD. They might also request an information about the family history. They will also look for other conditions which could cause the symptoms, such as mood disorders and learning disabilities. They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they impact your child's daily life.
There is no physical test for ADHD that is comparable to blood tests or an X-ray. The healthcare provider for your child follows guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines were designed for children 4 to 18 years of age. It is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults. This is because 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.
A child must show six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD, it's important that someone familiar with them interviews them. This includes their teachers as well as religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be asked about how their symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children of their age.
The most common treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant and nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms. The most common stimulants prescribed are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other stimulants. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain brain chemical. Other medications that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine and some antipsychotics. They are less potent than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for those who are unable to use stimulants due too severe side effects or health issues. These medications can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.
