ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a specialist who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your past and perform a physical examination. They will also look for conditions that may be similar to ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behavior as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This means obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Symptoms
You could have ADHD if you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at work, school or home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized it is possible that they are suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by a health care provider will help you determine whether this is the case, and If it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms must be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform, for example, in class, in creating close relationships, or working as part of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying organized and paying attention at times, but these issues are more severe in the case of ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has impacted your life. The providers will also examine your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will look for health problems like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want determine if your symptoms began in your childhood (technically at the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms impact you today and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they're written down. This will help you to recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. how to get diagnosed with adhd can also bring documents like the performance evaluations you receive from work or old school report cards. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. They can also assist your doctor to rule out other problems such as anxiety or depression, which often have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or lazyness. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma associated with this disorder is dissolving.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations about children who were inattentive or incapable of concentrating. He also observed that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report has been considered to be the first formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric manual released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most popular treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968. It included a variety of mental health issues. It included the symptoms of ADHD however they were still classified as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was a greater acceptance and understanding of ADHD. Its name was changed to Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity and the standard definition of three types of ADHD symptoms was established: mostly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The current DSM-5 views these as presentations, rather than distinct types and states that they could change over the course of a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time the UK as a whole formally recognised with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations on the condition in Scotland. Private organizations and charities have also issued guidance. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This information could help develop better and more specific treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
An expert in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to determine if they have a diagnosis. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor trained in child and young health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather details about the patient's life including family, educational, work and social history. They will look over old school records and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they impact life. They will also look at how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. To meet these criteria, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in multiple settings, cause significant impairment and have started before age 12. A customized questionnaire to the situation will be utilized by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ different ratings scales to assess various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on different factors, including questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you struggle to manage your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical examination. They will check for any medical conditions that could be creating the symptoms or making them worse, such a thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision problems. They will also ask the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may be contributing to the symptoms.
Anyone who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to complete a questionnaire with their partner or close friend. This can help uncover personal insights that checklists and questionnaires are in no way able to provide. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions on how the symptoms impact their lives. They also go over the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They could request a copy of the student's report cards or school records, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may also ask for copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will conduct the interview portion of an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends, teachers or employers as well. It is important to have thorough evaluations because those with untreated ADHD can experience serious problems such as financial issues (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failure at college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores are not a diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important part in the process of evaluating.
It is also important to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that may be similar to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, and medical conditions such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, so it is crucial to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behavior in two or more environments like school, home and work, and the symptoms must be affecting their daily functioning. The symptoms must first be noticed in childhood, and a psychiatrist must verify that the disorder is not caused by an illness of the mind or other concomitant conditions.
