ADHD Diagnosing Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
ADHD Diagnosing
It can be tempting to not seek a diagnosis for your child or yourself. However, a professional assessment can help you pinpoint the cause of symptoms and determine the severity.
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and use standard ADHD rating scales. They'll also interview you and other people in your life, such as spouse or family members, as well as friends to get a personal perspective that self-tests or checklists don't provide.
Signs and symptoms
Get a referral if you suspect your child may have ADHD. He may refer you for more extensive testing or evaluation to a specialist like psychiatrist or pediatrician. Bring your child's school records with you to the appointment, as the doctor will be interested in how your child compares to his peers. The provider will use standard ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and the long they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will examine your child's medical history, mental health history within the family, and developmental. The doctor will also speak to you and the other key adults in your child's life, such as teachers or coaches. Discuss any issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, for example, difficulties with homework or failure to finish tasks at school or at home.
It is common for kids and teens to have a limited attention span and lose focus during activities or games. If your child is forgetting things quickly, having difficulty following directions, or making careless mistakes in their schoolwork, chores, or at work, it could be a sign they are suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity can also be an indication of ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to fidget and move around excessively during class or playing with their friends. If they're at home, they may be seen running around or climbing up when it's not appropriate or have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. They may blurt out their answers or interrupt others in conversations, and they're unable to wait for their turn.
Inattentive ADHD can be mistaken for daydreaming in adults without indications 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
ADHD symptoms can hinder the ability of a person to function in everyday life at work, school, or home. They can also cause problems with relationships and socialization. Many people who suffer from these symptoms don't know that they are suffering from a diagnosisable disorder, which is why they may not seek help. A test for ADHD can help to identify the disorder and a physician can recommend treatments.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination as well as a detailed interview with the patient as well as various other tests and questionnaires. The screening is conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, neurologist or a doctor who has been skilled in the diagnosis of ADHD. Talk to your GP when you suspect your child may be suffering from ADHD. They may refer your child to an evaluation by a specialist.
The healthcare professional will review the patient's symptoms and medical history and any previous treatments. The healthcare professional will conduct an examination of the body, conduct audio and vision screenings, and search for any medical conditions that might be the cause of the patient's symptoms. They will use a combination ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavioral rating scores and a thorough assessment. adhd diagnosis in adults will be asked to explain their symptoms and how these affect their lives, at home and at school. The patient will be asked to provide information from close family members and friends.
For children, a medical professional can diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more symptoms of inattention, or five or more symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity as listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must have these symptoms for at least six months. They must be apparent in at least two places like school, home or the workplace, and show significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be caused by mental disorders or physical illnesses.
Adults are more difficult to identify as having ADHD because the ADHD diagnostic tools that are used for adolescents and children do not apply to adults. Some doctors will conduct an interview with the patient as well as a close friend or sibling, but other doctors prefer specific psychological tests and continuous performance tests using computers designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
adhd diagnosis adult
If someone with ADHD is not treated, their symptoms can interfere significantly with family life, work or school, as well as social interactions. The use of medication can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, improving functioning. There are a variety of drugs available, and it may require several tries to locate the right one for an individual. Therapy and behavior modification can also be crucial elements of treatment.
A doctor who is skilled in diagnosing ADHD will perform an extensive examination. Based on the results, she could refer the patient to a different health professional, such as psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric background, and then employ the standard rating scales for assessing ADHD symptoms. The doctor may also request someone who knows the patient well like a spouse or sibling for adults; or a teacher, coach or parent for children -to complete an interview form, which includes specific questions regarding ADHD symptoms and their effects.
Different types of medication are available to treat ADHD. The doctor will discuss the most effective treatment with the patient. For some people, the most effective medication is stimulants, which act by enhancing the activity in the areas of the brain that control the behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.
Children who suffer from ADHD frequently have other health conditions that require evaluation, such as depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is important that parents and children discuss these conditions with their healthcare provider. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD should see specialists for these conditions simultaneously to ensure they are working together to improve their functioning.
When you are beginning a medication it is crucial to find an expert in the field who has experience in treating ADHD. Consult a doctor whose work is covered by your insurance company to recommend a specialist, or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified specialists. You can also contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (CHADD) to find specialists in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects that someone is suffering from ADHD, he or she will ask them to describe their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also go over the person's medical, family and psychiatric history. During the interview the evaluator will search for signs that are similar to those listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam is suggested to rule out medical causes of the symptoms, for instance thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It is crucial that the person evaluating gathers information from those who know the person very well, such as teachers and relatives. The evaluator may use questionnaires that inquire about the person's behavior and how it affects their work and home life. The evaluator could also ask for a copy of the person's performance evaluations or other documentation. If the person has family members or a spouse the evaluator may interview them too.
The evaluator should also try to know how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily functioning, such as in relationships, at school and at work. The evaluator may suggest some behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Therapy for behavioral issues can teach the person practical skills for managing their symptoms and improving daily functioning. For instance therapy may assist the patient to manage their belongings and plan regular activities to improve their time management.
The evaluator may recommend a variety psychological or neuropsychological assessments to get a better understanding of the capabilities of a person. 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 symptoms. The treatment plan may include psychotherapy or other lifestyle changes like changing the way a person does things or using accommodations. The National Resource Center on ADHD provides additional information on treatments for adults.