ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will ask you, and your closest family members -- your spouse, sibling, or friend if you're an adult -about your symptoms. This can provide insight that questionnaires are not able to provide.

Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge, as diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It is crucial to find an ADHD professional who is willing to evaluate your situation.

Signs and symptoms

The first step in the process of conducting an ADHD evaluation is to have the patient speak honestly and openly about his issues and how they affect his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit they struggle with paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of the symptoms and live a happier and healthier lives.

The evaluator will ask the person to provide details about their medical and personal history from childhood to the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder, which are found 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 least two major settings, such as work or school. Additionally, the examiner must rule out any other conditions that could cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment.

A doctor may also use adhd diagnosis adult symptoms checklists or rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information regarding the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Depending on the situation, doctors often ask for permission to speak with people close to the person who could provide valuable information and support. For instance, they may ask for the names of parents, spouses or siblings to talk with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.

A physical exam is often part of an ADHD assessment, since it can help identify other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that resemble similar to ADHD. The evaluator could also perform an examination of the neurological system to determine if there are indications of brain damage or injury that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator can also recommend blood and urinary tests to determine if there is other conditions that might hinder treatment. For example depression, depression, or the use of alcohol or drugs.

Diagnosis

In determining ADHD, your doctor will look for symptoms that manifest in various situations, such as at school, home, or work. They should be present for a long amount of time. The doctor will then assess the extent to which your symptoms impact your everyday activities. 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 guidelines in 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 might also conduct an interview. The interview will cover your child's medical history, family history, and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's daily mood, behavior, and performance.

For adults, it's trickier to make an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is geared toward diagnosing children, and there is some controversy over whether these 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. They must exhibit these symptoms for a long time period and must be able to interfere with their daily functioning at school, home, or work.

Your doctor may also request other tests in addition an interview with you to determine the nature and severity of your symptoms or those of your child. These may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can be used to rule out an illness that causes the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.

A request to your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who will evaluate your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is an excellent place to begin. You can also contact your insurance provider to find out if professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your insurance plan. Another option is to contact an organization that supports local residents and solicit suggestions. You can also try calling the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school to get the names of specialists who can diagnose add in adults can conduct ADHD assessments.

Treatment

Symptoms of ADHD can cause significant problems at school and work and affect relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can improve performance and lessen symptoms. People suffering from ADHD may also need to make lifestyle adjustments for example, changing their sleeping schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise.

A person with ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care physician or a mental health professional. During this in-person interview the doctor will discuss issues such as development as well as family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and concerns. The doctor will inquire about the individual's performance, behavior and productivity and whether they have issues with impulsive behavior or focus. They will be interested in finding out how long the symptoms have been going on, where and when they first began and how much distress or problems they cause.

The evaluator may need to talk to other people in the patient's life, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults and coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires are unable to provide give, such as the fact that the patient often forgets or stops work in mid-stream. They can also provide insight into what situations trigger symptoms.

ADHD is treated using a variety of behavioral therapies and drugs. The medications may include stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine and dexamfetamine. These drugs improve blood flow to the brain, suppress impulsive behavior and allow people to pay attention and follow directions. They can be taken either orally or intravenously and are usually well tolerated.

Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD develop strategies to deal with the difficulties they encounter. Therapists can help people learn how to get diagnosed add to organize their lives, keep track of appointments, and offer support and guidance when dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms have on their work and family life. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a great method to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach strategies for dealing with stress and assist in resolving conflict that may occur.

Medication

To determine if your child has ADHD, a medical professional needs to consider several factors. They will ask your child about his or her symptoms at school, at home and in other locations. They may also use scales and questionnaires that are specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask about the family history. They will also look for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as mood disorders and learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they are affecting your child's daily life.

There is no physical test for ADHD that is comparable to a blood test or an X-ray. The doctor treating your child is following guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are for children between the ages of 4 and 18. Adults are more difficult to recognize. 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.

To be diagnosed with ADHD the child must have more than 6 symptoms that are listed in the guidelines for diagnosis. The guidelines also state the symptoms must have been present for at least six months. If your child is being assessed for ADHD it is recommended that they be interviewed by someone who can diagnose adhd adults is familiar with them. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire how their symptoms affect their daily activities and how they perform with other children their own age.

The most common treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant and nonstimulant drugs that can be prescribed to reduce ADHD symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other stimulants. These medications help to increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are drugs that treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they are beneficial for those who are unable to take stimulant medications due to health problems or serious side effects. The medications can be used with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.