ADHD Diagnosing
It's tempting to not to get an assessment for yourself or your child. A professional assessment can help you determine the severity of the symptoms and pinpoint their cause.
Your provider will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to look over your past. They will also speak with you, your spouse, family or your friends to gain personal insight that checklists or self-tests cannot provide.
Symptoms
Get a referral if you suspect that your child has ADHD. He may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or pediatrician, for more extensive assessment or testing. You should also bring school records to your visit since the doctor will want to determine how your child's condition compares to his peers with the same age. The provider might employ standardized rating scales to assess the severity of your child's symptoms and to determine the time since they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will review the development of your child, their family history of mental health problems and medical history. The doctor will also talk to you and any other adults who play a role in your child's life like teachers or coaches. Discuss the issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, for example, difficulty with homework or inability to finish tasks at school or at home.
Teens and children often have a limited attention span, and it's normal to see them lose focus during games or other activities. If your child is unable to remember things easily, having trouble following instructions or making a few mistakes in their schoolwork, chores or work, this could indicate that they suffer from ADHD.
Hyperactivity is another sign of ADHD It's not uncommon for kids to fidget or flit around too much in class or when playing with friends. At home, they might run or climb in unsuitable locations or have trouble sitting still for a long time. They may interrupt conversations or utter a few words.
Inattentional ADHD is often mistaken for daydreaming in adults with no signs 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
The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with the person's daily functioning, including at home, school or work. They can also cause problems with socialization and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms are not aware that they may have a diagnosable disorder, and may not seek treatment. Screening for ADHD can identify the disorder and allow a doctor to recommend treatment options.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination and a thorough interview with the patient as well as a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist, psychotherapist, neurologist, or doctor who is trained to recognize ADHD. If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD, talk to your GP, who can refer them for an assessment by a specialist.
To establish a diagnosis the healthcare provider will review the patient's symptoms, medical history and past treatment. The healthcare professional will conduct an examination of the body, conduct vision and audio screenings, and look for any medical conditions which could be the cause of the patient's symptoms. They will make use of a mix of ADHD symptoms checklists and standard behavioral rating scales, aswell as a thorough personal interview. The patient will also be asked about their history of symptoms and how they affect their life at home, in school and at work. The patient will be asked for information from close relatives and friends.
For children, a healthcare provider is able to diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more signs of inattention, or five or more indicators of impulsivity and hyperactivity as listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must exhibit these signs for at minimum six months. They must be noticeable in at least two places like home, school or the workplace and be accompanied by significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be caused by other mental health disorders or physical illnesses.
Adults are more difficult to diagnose with ADHD because the ADHD diagnostic tools used for children and adolescents do not apply to adults. Some doctors will interview the patient as well as an immediate family member or friend however, other doctors prefer special psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests designed for adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
If ADHD is not treated, the symptoms can affect the family, work and school as well as social relationships. Treatments reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and can improve the functioning. Several different medications are available and sometimes it takes several tries to discover the one that is effective for a specific person. Psychotherapy and behavior modification are also important parts of treatment.
A physician who specializes in diagnosing ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation. Depending on the results, she could refer the patient to a different health care specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will look over a patient's medical history and mental health condition, and utilize standardized ratings scales to assess ADHD. The doctor will also interview those who are close to the patient -such as a teacher, parent, or a sibling in the case of adults, or a spouse or a sibling for children -- to complete an interview form with questions regarding ADHD symptoms and their impact.
Many different kinds of medication can be used to treat ADHD The doctor will discuss with the patient what is the most appropriate treatment. For some people, the most effective medication is stimulants, which act by increasing activity in areas of the brain that regulate the behavior and attention. The most commonly prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets or modified-release daily preparations.
Many children suffering from ADHD have other health problems that also need to be evaluated and treated, including depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is crucial for parents and children to talk about these other issues with their healthcare provider. Ideally, the child with ADHD should consult a specialist for these conditions all at once to ensure that they work together to improve functioning.
It is important to find a doctor who is skilled in treating ADHD, especially when beginning treatment. Consult a doctor who's practice is covered by your insurance policy for a recommendation or contact the National Resource Center for ADHD to get a list experts who are certified. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (CHADD) to locate professionals in your area.
Treatment options
If a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD, he will ask them to describe their symptoms in great detail. The evaluator will also go over the individual's medical history, family and psychiatric histories. During the interview, he will be looking for symptoms that are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A physical exam is advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
It is crucial for the evaluator to get information from those who know the person well, including teachers and family members. The evaluator can use questionnaires that ask about the person's conduct and how it impacts their home and work life. The evaluator could also request an account of the person's performance reviews or other evidence. The evaluator could also speak with the spouse or close friends of the person.
The evaluator should also try to determine how the individual's ADHD symptoms affect their daily functioning, for example in relationships, at school and at work. They may suggest behavioral therapy like family or marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or family therapy. Behavioral therapy can help a person develop practical skills to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. read review might, for example, teach the patient how to organize their belongings and plan regular activities to improve their time management.
The evaluator may recommend a variety of neuropsychological or psychological 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. In most cases, the evaluator will prescribe medication to treat the symptoms. The treatment plan could also involve psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as changing the way a person does things or making accommodations (tools or changes in the workplace that allow disabled people to work). The National Resource Center on ADHD offers more information about treatments for adults.