ADHD Diagnosing
It is tempting to not seek an assessment for your child or yourself. However, a professional evaluation will help you pinpoint the cause of symptoms and determine their severity.
Your healthcare provider will use standard ADHD ratings scales to go over your past. They'll also interview you and other people in your life -- such as your spouse or family members, as well as friends -- for personal insight that self-tests or checklists don't provide.
Symptoms
Request a referral if you suspect that your child has ADHD. He might refer you for more detailed testing or an evaluation to a specialist such as psychiatrist or pediatrician. Bring your child's school records to the appointment, since the provider will be interested in how your child compares to his peers. The provider will employ standardized ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and the long they've been in the same condition for.
A thorough assessment will look at your child's medical history as well as mental health history within the family, and also their development. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who play a role in your child's lives like teachers or coaches. Discuss the issues you've noticed in your child's behavior, for example, trouble with homework or failing to complete assignments at home or school.
It's common for children and teens to have a short attention span and lose concentration during games or activities. If your child is forgetting things quickly, having difficulty following instructions, or making careless mistakes in their schoolwork, chores, or work, this could indicate that they suffer from ADHD.
Hyperactivity is a different sign of ADHD, and it's common for kids to fidget or move around too much in class or with their friends. At home, they may be seen running or climbing in inappropriate places or have difficulty sitting still for a long duration. They may interrupt conversations or blurt out answers.
Inattentive ADHD is often mistaken for daydreaming among adults who don't show any 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
ADHD symptoms can affect a person's ability to function in daily life, whether at work, school or at home. They can also cause problems with socialization and relationships. Many people suffering from these symptoms are unaware that they suffer from a diagnosable disorder, and aren't seeking treatment. A screening for ADHD will help in identifying the condition, and a doctor can suggest solutions.
The screening for ADHD includes a medical exam, a detailed patient interview and a range of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, neurologist or a physician skilled in the diagnosis of ADHD. If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD, talk to your GP who can refer them to a specialist assessment.
The healthcare professional will review the patient's symptoms and history and any previous treatment. They will then conduct physical examinations, hearing and vision screenings, and look for any medical conditions that may explain the patient's symptoms. They will use a combination ADHD checklist of symptoms as well as standardized behavioral rating scores and conduct a thorough interview. Patients will be asked to describe their symptoms and how these impact their lives both at home and in school. The patient will be asked to provide information from close relatives and friends.
For children, a medical professional is able to diagnose ADHD if they observe six or more symptoms of inattention, or five or more indicators of impulsivity and hyperactivity as that are listed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These symptoms should be present for at least six month. They must be apparent in at least two settings such as at home, school or the workplace, and show significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be due to other physical or mental disorders.
undiagnosed adhd in adults are more difficult to recognize as having ADHD, as the ADHD diagnostic tools used for children and adolescents are not applicable to adults. Certain doctors will interview the patient and the sibling or close friend however, others prefer using specific psychological tests and computerized continuous performance tests that are designed for adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If someone with ADHD is not treated, their symptoms may affect the family, work, school, and social interactions. Treatments reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and can improve the functioning. There are a variety of drugs available, and it might take a few attempts to find the right one for an individual. In getting a adhd diagnosis , psychotherapy and behavior modification are important parts of treatment.
A physician trained to recognize ADHD will conduct a thorough examination. Based on the results, she could refer the patient to a different health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will look over the patient's medical and mental history, and then apply standardized rating scales to assess ADHD symptoms. The doctor will also ask someone close to the patientsuch as a teacher, parent, or a sibling in the case of adults; or a spouse or sibling for children -- to complete an interview form that contains questions about ADHD symptoms and the impact on.
Many different kinds of medication are available to treat ADHD and the doctor will discuss with the patient which is the most appropriate medication. For some the most effective treatment is stimulants. They work by increasing activity in areas of the brain that control the behavior and attention. The most frequently prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available as immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.
Many children with ADHD have other health problems that also need to be assessed and treated such as anxiety, depression or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and child to talk about these other conditions with their physician. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD will see specialists for all of these issues at the same time, to ensure that they are working together to improve their performance.
When you are beginning a medication it is essential to find a healthcare provider with experience in treating ADHD. Find a doctor whose practice is covered by your insurance provider to suggest a specialist or call the National Resource Center on ADHD for a list of qualified specialists. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to obtain the names of professionals in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects that someone has ADHD the doctor will ask them to explain their symptoms in detail. The evaluator also examines the individual's medical and family 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 may be advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, like seizures or thyroid issues.
It is crucial that the person evaluating obtains information from people who know the person very well, such as teachers and relatives. The evaluator can use questionnaires to ask about the person’s behavior and its impact on their work and personal life. The evaluator may also ask for a copy of the person's performance evaluations or other documentation. If the person has an intimate relationship with a spouse or other close friends the evaluator may interview them as well.
The evaluator also needs to understand how the person's ADHD symptoms affect their daily functioning, such as in relationships, at school, and at work. They may suggest a treatment such as marital or family counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or marital or familial therapy. Therapy for behavioral issues can help the person learn practical techniques to manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. A therapist could for instance, show the patient how to organize their belongings and schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
Based on the specific situation, the evaluator might suggest a variety or neuropsychological tests in order to get more complete information about the abilities of the 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 manage the symptoms. The treatment plan may include psychotherapy or other lifestyle modifications, like changing the way a person does things or using accommodations (tools or modifications to the workplace that allow those with disabilities to work). The National Resource Center on ADHD has additional information about treatments for adults.