Do You Think You're Suited For Doing ADHD Diagnoses? Answer This Question
Do You Think You're Suited For Doing ADHD Diagnoses? Answer This Question
Blog Article
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might want to look at old report cards and speak to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behavior.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms affect your family life, at home, at work, and in school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. They will also discuss your child's growth medical history and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and interrupting other people.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two environments, cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric examination can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They might also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can take an hour or more. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main settings, such as work and home. For ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present for at minimum six months.
During the interview, the clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set here by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.
Prevention
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to keep a job. These individuals require treatment, as well.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer definition takes into account that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well as well as standard scales of rating used by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.