ADHD Diagnosing

It can be tempting not to seek an assessment for yourself or your child. However, a professional assessment can assist you in identifying the source of symptoms and determine their severity.

Your healthcare provider will use standard ADHD ratings scales to review your past. They'll also interview you and others in your life, such as spouse or family members to gain insight that self-tests or checklists can't provide.

Symptoms

If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, get a referral from his health care provider. He may refer you for more detailed testing or an evaluation to a specialist such as psychiatrist or pediatrician. You should also bring school records to the appointment as the doctor will want to determine how your child compares with his peers with the same age. The provider will use standardized ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and the long they've been in the same condition for.

A thorough assessment will examine your child's growth, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also speak to you and any other adults who play a role in your child's life such as coaches or teachers. You should discuss what difficulties you've noticed in your child's behavior, such as difficulties with homework or failure to finish tasks at school or at home.


Teens and children often have a short attention span and it's not uncommon for them to lose their focus in games or activities. However if your child appears to be prone to forgetting things, has difficulty following instructions, or makes mistakes in their schoolwork, chores, or work, it could be an indication of ADHD.

Hyperactivity is a different sign of ADHD, and it's common for children to be distracted or move around a lot in class or with their friends. When they're home, they might be seen running around or climbing up in areas that aren't appropriate or struggle to sit still for long periods of time. They might blurt out answers or interrupt other people in conversations, and they're not able to hold their breath waiting for their turn.

Inattentive ADHD is often misinterpreted as daydreaming, and it can be hard to diagnose for adults who don't show symptoms 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 impact the person's ability to perform in everyday life, whether at work, school, or home. They can also lead to difficulties with social interaction and relationships. Many people who experience these symptoms aren't aware that they have a diagnosable disorder, and may not seek treatment. Screening for ADHD can reveal the problem and allow a doctor to recommend treatments.

Screening for ADHD is a medical test as well as a detailed interview with the patient and various other tests and questionnaires. The screening is done by a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, neurologist or a doctor who has been experienced in diagnosing ADHD. Talk with your GP in case you think your child may be suffering from ADHD. They can refer your child for a specialist evaluation.

The healthcare provider will examine the patient's symptoms as well as their history and any previous treatments. They will then perform physical examinations, vision and hearing screenings, and check for any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptoms. They will use a combination ADHD symptom checklists as well as standardized behavioral rating scores and a thorough assessment. Patients are asked to describe their symptoms and how they impact their lives at home and at school. adult diagnosis of adhd will be asked for information from close relatives and friends.

A healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD in children if they observe at least six symptoms of inattentiveness, and/or at least five symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity as defined in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They must be experiencing these symptoms for at minimum six months. They must be noticeable in at least two different settings such as at school, at home or in the workplace and be accompanied by significant impairment. The symptoms cannot be caused by other mental health issues or physical illnesses.

Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood is more difficult, because most of the ADHD diagnostic tools used in adolescents and children don't apply to adults. Certain doctors will interview the patient along with a close friend or sibling while other doctors prefer specific psychological tests and continuous performance tests using computers designed for adults who suffer from ADHD.

Medication

If ADHD is not treated, the symptoms can affect family life as well as school and work, as well as social relationships. Treatments reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and can improve the functioning. There are many different medicines available, and it may take several attempts to find the right one for you. In most cases, psychotherapy and behavior modification are also important parts of treatment.

A doctor who is qualified to diagnose ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment. She might refer the patient, dependent on the results to a different health professional, for example, a psychiatrist or psychologist. The doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and then use standard rating scales to evaluate ADHD symptoms. The doctor will also ask anyone close to the patient -for example, a teacher, parent, or sibling in the case of adults; or a spouse or a sibling in the case of children -- to complete an interview form with questions regarding ADHD symptoms and impact.

Different kinds of medications are available to treat ADHD. The doctor will discuss the most effective treatment with the patient. For some people, the most effective medication is stimulants, which work by boosting activity in the regions of the brain that control the behavior and attention. The most commonly prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets or modified-release once daily preparations.

Children who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from other health conditions which need to be assessed like depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is crucial that parents and children talk about these issues with their healthcare professional. Ideally, a person suffering from ADHD will visit specialists for all of these disorders at the same time to ensure that they are working in tandem to improve their performance.

When starting medication, it is important to find an experienced healthcare professional in treating ADHD. Find a doctor whose practice is covered by your insurance provider to suggest a specialist or call the National Resource Center on ADHD to get a list of certified professionals. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to get names of professionals in your area.

Treatment options

If a doctor suspects someone of having ADHD He will ask them to explain their symptoms in detail. The evaluator will also review the person's medical, family and psychiatric history. During the interview the evaluator will search for symptoms that match those listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam is advised to rule out medical reasons for the symptoms, like thyroid problems or seizures.

It's important for the evaluator information from those who know the person well, such as teachers and family members. The evaluator may use questionnaires that inquire about the behavior of the person and how it impacts their work and home life. The evaluator may also ask for a copy of the person's performance assessments or other records. If the person has a spouse or close friends, the evaluator might interview them as well.

The evaluator should also understand how the ADHD symptoms of the individual affect their daily functioning in the context of relationships at school, work, and other social interactions. He or she might suggest a behavioral therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or family or marital therapy. Therapy for behavioral issues can help the person develop practical skills to manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. For example a therapist could assist the patient in learning to organize their belongings or schedule regular activities to improve their time management.

The person evaluating the test may recommend various neuropsychological or psychological tests to gain a clearer understanding of the capabilities of a person. 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 may prescribe medication to treat the symptoms. The treatment plan can also include psychotherapy or other lifestyle changes like changing the way a person does things, or using accommodations. The National Resource Center on ADHD offers more information about treatments for adults.