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ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will ask you, and the people closest to you (your spouse, sibling, or friend if you're an adult -about your symptoms. This is often a way to gain information that questionnaires cannot.
The process of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge because the diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It's important to find a specialist in the condition who takes their time in evaluating your case.
Symptoms
To conduct an ADHD assessment, the initial step is to have the patient discuss openly and honestly about the symptoms and how they affect his life. Adults might not want to admit they have trouble paying attention, following directions or organising tasks. But getting a precise diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a healthier life.
The examiner will inquire of the person about their personal and medical history from childhood to present. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association’s clinical guidelines for 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 least two major settings, such as work or school. In addition, the evaluator must rule out other disorders that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or an intellectual disability.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in addition to an interview to gather information regarding the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning skills, and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors can ask permission based on the circumstances to speak with family members or friends who can offer valuable insight and help. For example, they might request the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to speak with them about the person's struggles at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD assessment. It could help rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that look like ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct a neurological exam to see whether there is any sign of damage or injury to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator can also recommend urine and blood tests to determine if there is other conditions that could interfere with treatment. For instance, depression or alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis
In diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will look for signs that are present in different settings, like at school, home or at work. They must also last for a significant amount of time. The doctor will evaluate how these symptoms interfere with your everyday 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.
Doctors utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will review the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct a clinical interview. The interview will discuss your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's mood and behavior as well as their productivity.
For adults, it's trickier to make a diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is designed towards diagnosing children. However, there is some controversy over whether these criteria are still applicable to adulthood. 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 period of time and have them significantly affect their daily life at school, home or at work.
Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the extent of your your child's symptoms. This could include tests for blood or EEG test. Other tests may help rule out conditions that are similar to depressive or learning disabilities.
To find an expert to assess your child's ADHD begin by asking your doctor for a referral. You can also contact your insurance provider to inquire whether there are specialists covered under your plan who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also reach out to an organization in your area and request suggestions. You can also contact a medical school or university-based hospital to request a list of professionals that conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The symptoms of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and work, and interfere with relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD taking medication and enhancing your performance can reduce symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also need to make lifestyle changes, such as adjusting sleeping schedules, using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD must see their primary care doctor or a mental health professional or both to get an evaluation. During the in-person interview the practitioner will talk about topics such as the development of the disorder, family history, lifestyle and current symptoms. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they are struggling with impulsive or focused actions. They will inquire about the duration of the symptoms, their frequency, when and where they started, and the level of distress they cause.
The evaluator will likely need to talk to other people who are in the patient's life such as spouses, parents or siblings for adults and coaches, teachers, daycare providers or friends for children. They can provide insights that questionnaires can't provide for example, how the person often stops tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, or what situations cause symptoms.
ADHD is treated by the use of a variety of treatments and medications. Medications may include stimulants like amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase blood flow to the brain, suppress impulse-driven behavior, and permit people to pay more focus and follow instructions. They can be administered by mouth or intravenously, and are usually well tolerated.
In addition to medications therapy can also help those with ADHD develop strategies to deal with their challenges. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives, keep track of appointments, and offer assistance and guidance in dealing with the effect ADHD symptoms have on their work and family life. Family and marriage therapy can help address problems caused by the disorder that affects relationships and teach coping skills for conflict and disagreement that may be triggered in these situations.
Medication
To diagnose ADHD the health professional will take into consideration various factors. They will inquire with your child about their symptoms at school, at home and in other locations. They will also use scales or questionnaires that are specific for ADHD. They might here also inquire about family history. They will look for other conditions that could be the cause of the symptoms, for example mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's daily life.
There is no physical test to diagnose ADHD. This includes X-rays and blood tests. To get a diagnosis, your child's healthcare provider will follow guidelines that were developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are designed for children between 4 and 18 years old. It is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults. This is because the symptoms may change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must display at least six of the symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD it is recommended that they be evaluated by someone who is familiar with them. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and other caregivers. You should also inquire how their symptoms affect their daily life and how they compare to other children of their age.
The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant as well as non-stimulant medications that are prescribed to decrease ADHD symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Other medications that are used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine as well as some antipsychotics. They work slower than stimulants, but they are beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant medication because of health issues or severe adverse effects. The use of medications can be in combination with other treatments, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.