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ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional who's evaluating ADHD will ask you, and those closest to you (your spouse, sibling, or friend in the case of an adultabout the symptoms you experience. This may provide information that questionnaires cannot.
Finding out if you have ADHD in adulthood is trickier, as guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It's crucial to find an ADHD specialist who is willing to evaluate your situation.
Signs and symptoms
For an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to allow the patient to discuss openly and honestly about symptoms and how they affect his life. Some adults are reluctant to admit they struggle with paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to gain control of the symptoms and live a a more fulfilling life.
The person being evaluated is asked to tell them about their medical history and personal life from childhood to the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for treating 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. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as work or school. The examiner should also rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or intellectual disabilities.
In addition to an interview, a doctor may employ behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather information regarding the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, working memory abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning are useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Based on the circumstances doctors may ask for permission to speak with people close to the person who could provide valuable insight and help. For instance, they could seek out the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to interview them about the person's problems at home and at work.
A physical examination is typically included in an ADHD evaluation. It helps rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. In some instances, thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator could also conduct a neurological examination to see whether there is any evidence of damage or injury to the brain that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend urine and blood tests to evaluate for the presence of other conditions that may hinder treatment, such as depression, alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that can be seen in different situations, like at home, work, or school. They should be present for a long amount of time. The doctor will then assess how much your symptoms impact 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.
To diagnose children, doctors adhere to the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will evaluate the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct a clinical interview. The interview will comprise an overview of your child's medical family, psychiatric, and medical history. You will be asked about your child's mood and behavior, as well as productivity.
It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V is designed to help diagnose children. There is some debate over whether the criteria still apply to adults. 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. These symptoms must be present for a prolonged period of time and interfere with the daily activities at school, work, or home.
Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor might order other tests to determine severity of the child's symptoms. This could include a blood or EEG test. Other tests can be used to rule out an illness that causes the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.
Asking your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who can evaluate your ADHD or that of your child is an excellent place to begin. You can also call your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists covered by your policy who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and ask for recommendations. You can also try calling an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school for a list of professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
The symptoms of ADHD can cause significant problems at school and at work, and interfere with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can improve performance and lessen symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also have to adjust their lifestyle like changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise.
A person suffering from ADHD must see his or her primary care doctor or an expert in mental health or both for an evaluation. In this interview, the practitioner will cover topics including the development of the disorder of the person's family and lifestyle, and current symptoms and issues. The practitioner will inquire about the individual's behavior, performance and productivity and whether they have trouble with impulsive behavior or focus. how to get a adhd diagnosis will be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have gone on, when and where they began, and the amount of distress or issues they can cause.
The evaluator is likely to be looking to speak to other people in the life of the patient, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults and teachers, coaches, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires can't provide for example, the way that a person may stop tasks mid-way or forgets things, and what situations trigger symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medicines are used to treat ADHD. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant drugs like dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the flow of blood to the brain and suppress the impulse to act that allow people to be attentive and follow directions. They can be taken either orally or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.
In addition to medications, therapy can help people with ADHD discover strategies to deal with their challenges. Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to manage their lives and keep track of appointments, as well as provide support and guidance in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on their home and at work. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a great method to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach coping skills and help resolve conflict that may arise.
Medication
To determine if your child has ADHD A health professional will take into consideration various factors. They will ask your child about his or her symptoms at school, home and in other locations. They will also use questionnaires or scales specifically designed for ADHD. They may also inquire about family history. They will also look for other conditions that may cause the symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and whether they are affecting your child's daily routine.
There is no physical test for ADHD that is comparable to blood tests or an X-ray. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines were designed for children 4 to 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to identify. 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.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the child must have 6 or more of the symptoms that are listed in the diagnostic guidelines. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD, they should be interviewed by someone who is familiar with them. This includes teachers and religious leaders, coaches and other caregivers. They should also be questioned about how their symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children their age.
Medication is the most common method of treating ADHD. There are both stimulant and nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms. The stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Other medications that are used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine, as well as antipsychotics. They are less effective than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant drugs due to health problems or severe adverse reactions. Medications can be used in conjunction with other treatments, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.