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ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will ask you and the people closest where to get diagnosed with adhd you (your spouse, sibling, or friend in the case of an adultabout your symptoms. This often provides information that questionnaires cannot.
It's more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, because diagnostic guidelines are created for children. It is important to find a doctor who specializes in the condition who takes the time in evaluating your case.
Signs and symptoms
For an ADHD assessment, the first step is for the patient to be honest and open about his symptoms and how they impact his life. Adults may not want admit to having trouble paying attention, following directions or managing tasks. But getting an accurate diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a healthier life.
The evaluator will ask the person to provide information about their personal and medical history from childhood to present. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines for the treatment of 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 led to significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work or school. Additionally, the examiner must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety, or an intellectual disability.
A doctor can also employ ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information about the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning skills and visual and spatial reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Depending on the situation, doctors often ask for permission to talk with those close to the person who can provide valuable information and help. For instance, they may ask for the names of spouses, parents or siblings to talk with them about the person's struggles 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. In certain instances, thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator could also perform an examination of the neurological system to determine if there are any indications of brain damage or injury that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest urine and blood tests to check for the presence of other conditions that may hinder treatment, like depression or alcohol and drug abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that can be seen in different situations, like at work, at home or at school. They should also last for a lengthy period of time. The doctor will assess how much these symptoms interfere with your day-to-day 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 follow the guidelines of the add diagnostic criteria Adults and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will discuss your child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct an interview. The interview will consist of a review of your child's medical family, psychiatric, or medical history. They will also ask you about how your child's behavior impacts their daily mood, behaviors, and productivity.
It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V is a diagnostic tool designed for children. There is some debate as to whether the criteria are still applicable to adults. 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. These symptoms must be present for a long time and must interfere with the daily activities at school, work or home.
Your doctor may also order other tests in addition to a clinical interview to determine the extent and severity of your symptoms or that of your child. These may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help to determine if a condition is similar to learning disabilities or depressive disorders.
The suggestion of asking your family physician to refer you to an expert who can assess your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is the best place to begin. You can also contact your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your plan. Another option is to contact a local support group and solicit recommendations. You can also try calling the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school to get an inventory of professionals who can conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work and in school and may cause issues with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can improve performance and lessen symptoms. People suffering from ADHD might also have to alter their lifestyles for example, changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or ad hoc exercise.
A person with ADHD should be evaluated by their primary care physician or an expert in mental health. During this in-person interview, the practitioner will cover topics including the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and concerns. The doctor will ask questions about the patient's performance, behavior, and productivity, and if they have issues with impulsive or focused actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when and where to get diagnosed with adhd they started, and how much distress they cause.
The evaluator will likely be looking to speak to other people who are in the patient's life for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults and teachers, coaches, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires can't give, such as the fact that the person frequently forgets or stops tasks during the course of a task. They can also provide insight into what triggers symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines are used to treat ADHD. The medication may contain stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine and dexamfetamine. These drugs boost blood flow to the brain and decrease the impulse to act, allowing people to be attentive and follow directions. The drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
Therapy can help people with ADHD create strategies to overcome the difficulties they encounter. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives and track their appointments, and offer assistance and guidance when dealing with the impact of ADHD symptoms on home and at work. Family and marriage therapy can assist in addressing issues caused by the disorder of relationships and also teach how to handle conflict and discord that can arise in these situations.
Medication
To allow a medical professional to identify ADHD the doctor must look at many things. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, at school and in other places. They will also use questionnaires or scales that are specific for ADHD. They may also request an history of the family. They may also search for other conditions which could cause the symptoms, such as learning disabilities and mood disorders. They will also assess the severity of the symptoms and whether they are affecting your child's daily routine.
There is no physical test for ADHD such as blood tests or an X-ray. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are designed for children between 4 and 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to identify. The symptoms of ADHD can change as time passes. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must display 6 or more of the symptoms listed in the guidelines for diagnosis. The guidelines also state the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD, they should be questioned by a person who knows them well. This includes their teachers, religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what the effects of their ailments are on their daily functioning and how they perform with other children their own age.
The most commonly used medication is a treatment option for ADHD. There are stimulant as well as non-stimulant medications that are prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. The most common stimulants prescribed are amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants. These drugs help boost and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are drugs that treat ADHD. They are less potent than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who are unable to take stimulants due to serious side effects or health problems. Medications can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
