5 Common Myths About ADHD Diagnoses You Should Avoid ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.

The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask to see old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood habits.

Signs and 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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Consult your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.

A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.

Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, at work or school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.

If your adult symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric assessment is performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting other children.

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 occur in more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months.

If your child is not able to meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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.

adhd diagnosis in adults may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an assessment.

During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request 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 that spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.

It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at minimum six months.

During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak.


Prevention

Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or struggle to find a job. These individuals require treatment, as well.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The newer name is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention.

While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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 assessment by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.

It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.

Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.