adhd diagnosing can be tempting to not seek an assessment for your child or yourself. A professional evaluation can help you determine the severity of the symptoms and determine the cause.
Your provider will use standardized ADHD ratings scales to look over your history. They will also interview you as well as your spouse, family members or close friends to gain a personal insight that checklists and self-tests are not able to provide.
Signs and symptoms
Request a referral if you suspect your child may have ADHD. He could refer you to more thorough testing or evaluation to a specialist like a pediatrician or psychiatrist. You should also bring school records to your visit, because the provider will want to see how your child compares with his peers who are similar age. The doctor may use standardized rating scales to assess the severity of your child's symptoms, and also determine the length of time they've been present.
A comprehensive assessment will examine your child's medical history, mental health history within the family, and developmental. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who are important to your child's life such as teachers or coaches. You should talk to your child about any issues you've observed in their behavior, such as not completing homework or other assignments at school or home.
It is common for teens and children to have short attention spans and lose concentration during games or activities. If your child is unable to remember things quickly, has trouble following instructions, or making careless mistakes with their schoolwork, chores or at work, it could indicate that they have ADHD.
Hyperactivity is also an indication of ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be distracted and move around in class or when playing with their friends. At home, they could be seen running or climbing in inappropriate places or struggle to sit still for a long period of time. They might blurt out answers or interrupt others in conversations, and they're unable to wait for their turn.
Inattentional ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and it can be hard to diagnose in adults who do not show indications 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 hinder the person's ability to function in daily life at work, school, or home. They can also cause problems with social interactions and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms aren't aware that they have an identifiable disorder and they may not seek treatment. A screening for ADHD can help identify the disorder, and a doctor can suggest treatments.
Screening for ADHD is a medical test as well as a detailed interview with the patient, and a variety of other tests and questionnaires. The screening is performed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, as well as a neurologist or a physician experienced in diagnosing ADHD. If you suspect your child is suffering from ADHD discuss it with your GP who will refer them to a specialist assessment.
The doctor will look at the patient's symptoms as well as their history and will also look into any previous treatments. They will then perform a physical examination, conduct vision and hearing screenings, and look for any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptoms. They will use a combination ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scores for behavioral ratings, and a thorough interview. The patient will also be asked about their previous symptoms and how they impact their lives at home, at school and at work. The patient will be asked to provide information from close relatives and friends.
For children, a doctor is able to diagnose ADHD when they observe six or more signs of inattention, or five or more signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity identified in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must be experiencing these symptoms for at least six months. They must be noticeable in at least two places, such as home, school or the workplace and have significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental health disorders or physical illnesses.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is a challenge as the majority of ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children aren't applicable to adults. Some doctors will conduct an interview with the patient along with the sibling or close friend however, others prefer using special psychological tests and continuous performance tests using computers designed for adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
If a person suffering from ADHD is not treated, their symptoms may interfere significantly with family life, work or school, as well as social relationships. Medications reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, improving functioning. There are a variety of medicines available, and it may take a few attempts to find the best one for a particular person. Often, psychotherapy and behavior modification are also crucial components of treatment.
A doctor who is trained to recognize ADHD will conduct a thorough examination. Based on the results, she might refer the patient to another health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will look over a patient's medical history and the psychiatric issue, and use standardized ratings scales to determine ADHD. The doctor will also interview anyone close to the patient -- a parent, teacher or sibling in the instance of adults, or a spouse or a sibling for children to fill out an interview form with questions regarding ADHD symptoms and impact.
Several different types of medication can be used to treat ADHD, and the doctor will talk with the patient about which is the most appropriate drug. For some the most effective medication is stimulants, which work by enhancing the activity in the areas of the brain that regulate the behavior and attention. The most commonly prescribed drug is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets as well as modified-release, once-daily formulations.
Children with ADHD typically suffer from other health conditions that need to be evaluated, such as depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is crucial for parents and child to talk about these other issues with their doctor. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD should be seen by a specialist for these conditions at once to ensure they are working together to improve their functioning.
When beginning treatment, it is important to find a healthcare provider with experience in treating ADHD. Consult a doctor whose work is covered by your insurance to recommend a specialist, or contact the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified professionals. You can also call your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find the names of specialists in your area.
Treatment options
When a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD He will ask them to explain their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also review the individual's medical, family and psychiatric history. During the interview, the evaluator will look for signs that are similar to those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). adhd diagnose is recommended to rule out some medical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It's important for the evaluator information from people who know the person well, like teachers and family members. The evaluator may use questionnaires to ask about the person's behavior and how it affects their work and personal lives. The evaluator may also request a copy of a person's performance reviews or other documents. The evaluator can also talk to the spouse or close relatives of the person.
The evaluator will also want to understand how the ADHD symptoms of the person affect their daily functioning in the context of relationships, school, and work. The evaluator may suggest a behavioral therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy or family or marital therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach the person the practical skills needed to manage their symptoms and improving daily functioning. Therapists can teach the patient how to manage their belongings and schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
The person evaluating the test may recommend a variety of neuropsychological or psychological tests to gain a clearer picture of a person's abilities. 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. The evaluator could prescribe medication to treat symptoms. The treatment plan may involve psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle modifications, like changing the way the person performs tasks or utilizing accommodations (tools or modifications to the workplace that make it easier for those with disabilities to participate in a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD provides additional information on treatments for adults.