ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD evaluation will ask you and those around you, such as a spouse, sibling or a friend for adults -- about the symptoms. This is often a way to gain insights that questionnaires don't.

Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge because the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It is essential to find an ADHD specialist who will take the time to evaluate your situation.

Symptoms

For an ADHD assessment, the first step is to allow the patient to discuss openly and honestly about the symptoms and how they impact his life. Many adults are reluctant to admit they have difficulty paying attention and following directions or organising tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best way to gain control of symptoms and live happier and healthier lives.

The examiner will inquire of the individual about their medical history and personal life from childhood to the present. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric 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 least two major settings, such as work or school. Additionally, the examiner must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment.

In addition to an interview, a doctor may use behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather information about the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that test executive functioning, visual and spatial reasoning and working memory can help identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Depending on the situation doctors may ask for permission to talk with those close to the person who can provide valuable information and help. They might ask for the names and contact information of parents, spouses or siblings to talk with them about the person's challenges at home and at work.


A physical examination is often included in an ADHD assessment. It can help rule other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. In certain instances thyroid issues and seizures can be a cause of ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct a neurological examination to determine if there are indications of brain damage or injury that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to determine the presence of other conditions that may hinder treatment, like depression, alcohol or substance abuse.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine symptoms that can be seen in different environments, such as at work, at home or at school. They must be present for a long amount of time. The doctor will then assess the extent to which your symptoms interfere with daily 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 must follow guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine your child's symptoms, and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric history. They will also inquire about the impact of your child's behavior on their daily mood, behaviors, and productivity.

For adults, it's more difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is geared towards diagnosing children. However, 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. They must have these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, and they must significantly interfere with their daily life at school, home or at work.

Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor could order additional tests to determine the extent of your the child's symptoms. This may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help identify a condition that is causing the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.

To find an expert to assess the child's ADHD you can begin by asking your family physician for an appointment. You can also reach out to your insurance provider to inquire if experts who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered under your insurance plan. Another option is to reach out to an organization that supports local residents and request suggestions. You can also contact an institution of higher education or a medical or graduate school for a list of professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.

Treatment

ADHD symptoms can lead to serious problems at work and at school, and can cause problems with relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, taking medication and improving your functioning can help reduce symptoms. People suffering from ADHD might also need to change their lifestyle, such as adjusting sleep schedules, using a daily planner or increasing exercise.

A person suffering from ADHD should be evaluated by their primary care physician or an expert in mental health. In this interview, the practitioner will cover topics including the development of the disorder as well as family and lifestyle history, and current symptoms and problems. The doctor will ask questions about the patient's behavior, performance and productivity and whether they have trouble with impulsive or focused actions. They will be interested in finding out how long the symptoms have gone on, where and when they first began and how much distress or problems they create.

The evaluator will likely want to talk to other people in the patient's life, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults as well as teachers, coaches, daycare providers or friends for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot be able to provide, for instance, the fact that a person frequently forgets or stops tasks during the course of a task. They may also be able to reveal what triggers symptoms.

Many behavioral therapies and medicines treat ADHD. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs boost blood flow to the brain and reduce actions that are impulsive which allows people to pay attention and follow instructions. The drugs can be taken either orally or intravenously and generally are well-tolerated.

Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD develop strategies to deal with the challenges they face. Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives, track their appointments and provide assistance and guidance in dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms can have on work and family life. Therapy for families and marriage is a great way to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also help teach how to manage stress and resolve conflict that may arise.

Medication

To allow a medical professional to identify ADHD it is necessary to evaluate several things. They will inquire about your child's symptoms at home, at schools, and elsewhere. They will also use scales and questionnaires that are specific to ADHD. They may also ask about the history of their family. They may also search for other conditions that may cause the symptoms, such as mood disorders and learning disabilities. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they impact your child's life.

There isn't a physical test for ADHD such as a blood test or an X-ray. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are geared towards children between 4 and 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to diagnose. This is due to the fact that a person's symptoms can change over time. 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 symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed with ADHD. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis state that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD it is recommended that they be questioned by a person who is familiar with them. This includes teachers as well as coaches, religious leaders, and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily activities and how they perform with other children their own age.

The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are both stimulant and nonstimulant drugs that can be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms. The most common stimulants prescribed are amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are two medications that can treat ADHD. They are not as potent as stimulants, but they can be beneficial for those who are unable to use stimulants due to serious side effects or health problems. These medications can be utilized alongside other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.