ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and those around you, such as a spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about their symptoms. This often provides insight that questionnaires can't uncover.
It's more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, as the guidelines for diagnosis are created for children. It is essential to find an ADHD professional who will take the time to evaluate your situation.
Signs and symptoms
To conduct an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to allow the patient to discuss openly and honestly about the symptoms and how they affect his life. Some adults are reluctant to admit that they are having trouble paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get control of the symptoms and live a happier and healthier lives.
The examiner will inquire of the person to provide information about their personal and medical history from childhood until the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychological 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 caused significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, such as work or school. Additionally, the examiner must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or an intellectual disability.
A doctor may also use ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in conjunction with an interview to collect information on the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functioning abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors can ask permission based on the circumstances to contact family members or friends who could provide valuable information and help. They may ask for the names and contact numbers of the spouse, parents or siblings to interview them regarding the person's problems both at home and at the workplace.
A physical examination is often part of an ADHD assessment. It can help rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms that resemble similar to ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct an examination of the brain to determine if there are signs of brain damage or injury that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest blood and urine tests to check for the presence of any other conditions that might hinder treatment, such as depression or alcohol and addiction.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that are present in various environments, such as at work, at home or at school. The symptoms must last for a long time. The doctor will assess how much these symptoms impact your daily routine. 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 assess your child's symptoms, and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will comprise an overview of your child's medical family, psychiatric, and medical history. They will also ask you about the impact of your child's behavior on their mood, behavior and productivity.
It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V symptom guide is targeted towards diagnosing children, but there is some disagreement about whether these criteria are still applicable 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 time and must interfere with daily functioning at school, work, or home.
Your doctor may also order other tests in addition to a clinical interview to determine the nature and severity of your symptoms or that of your child. This could include a blood or EEG test. Other tests may help determine if a condition is similar to depressive or learning disabilities.
To find an expert to evaluate your or the child's ADHD you can begin by asking your doctor for the referral. You can also contact your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your plan. You can also reach out to a local support group and request recommendations. You can also call the medical school or university hospital to obtain the list of specialists who provide ADHD assessments.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious problems at work and at school, and can cause problems with relationships. Finding a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve functioning and decrease symptoms. Patients with ADHD also may need to make lifestyle changes like adjusting their sleep schedules or using a daily planner, or increasing exercise.
A person with ADHD must be assessed by their primary healthcare provider or an expert in mental health. During the in-person consultation an expert will discuss topics such as the development of the disorder, family history, lifestyle and the current symptoms. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance, productivity, and if they have problems with impulsive or focusing actions. They will be interested in knowing how the symptoms have lasted on, where and when they started and how much distress or problems they create.
The evaluator might want to discuss other people involved in the patient's daily life, including parents, spouses, siblings teachers, coaches, daycare providers, or friends. These people can offer insights that questionnaires don't uncover for example, the reasons why a person might stop tasks in the middle or is unable to remember things, or what circumstances trigger symptoms.
Many behavioral therapies and medications help treat ADHD. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase blood flow to the brain and suppress impulsive actions that allow people to pay attention and follow instructions. These drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and generally are well-tolerated.
Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD create strategies to compensate for the challenges they encounter. Therapists can help individuals learn how to organize their lives, track their appointments, and provide support and guidance when dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms have on work and family life. Family and marriage therapy can help with issues caused by the disorder that affects relationships and also teach coping skills for conflict and disagreement that may occur in these situations.
Medication
To determine if your child has ADHD, a medical professional needs to consider various factors. They will ask about your child's symptoms at home, at schools, and elsewhere. They may also use scales and questionnaires that are specific to ADHD. They might also inquire about the history of their family. They may also search for other conditions that could cause the symptoms, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your child's everyday life.
There isn't a physical test for ADHD such as blood tests or an X-ray. To get a diagnosis the healthcare provider for your child will adhere to the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are geared towards children between 4 and 18 years old. I Am Psychiatry UK is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD can change as time passes. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.
A child must exhibit six or more of the symptoms described in the guidelines to be classified with ADHD. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being assessed for ADHD, they should be questioned by a person who knows them well. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. You should also inquire what their symptoms impact their daily functioning and how they compare to other children of their age.
Medication is the most common form of treatment for ADHD. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to reduce ADHD. The most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other stimulants. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain brain chemical. Other drugs that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine as well as some antipsychotics. They are not as potent as stimulants but can be useful for those who cannot take stimulants due to severe adverse effects or health issues. Medications can be used in combination with other treatments, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.