ADHD Diagnosing
It is tempting to avoid getting a diagnosis for your child or yourself. However, a professional evaluation will assist you in identifying the source of your symptoms and determine their severity.
Your healthcare provider will use standard ADHD ratings scales to go over your past. They will also interview you as well as your spouse, family members or your friends to gain personal insight that checklists or self-tests can't provide.
diagnosed with adhd and symptoms
If you suspect your child may be suffering from ADHD Get an appointment with your health care provider. He could refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or pediatrician for more thorough assessment or testing. Bring your child's school records with you to the appointment, as the provider will be interested in how your child's progress compares to his peers. The provider will employ standardized ratings scales to determine the severity of symptoms and how long they've been afflicted for.
A comprehensive assessment will review your child's growth, family history of mental health issues and medical history. The doctor will also talk to you and any other adults that are important to your child's life such as teachers or coaches. Discuss the issues you've observed in your child's behavior, such as difficulties with homework or failure to complete tasks at school or at home.
It is common for kids and teens to have short attention spans and lose focus during activities or games. However, if your child seems to forget things easily or has trouble following instructions, or makes mistakes with their homework, chores or schoolwork, it could be a sign of ADHD.
Hyperactivity is a different sign of ADHD It's normal for kids to fidget or move around a lot in class or with their friends. When they're home, they may play or run around in places in areas that aren't appropriate or have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They might blurt out answers or interrupt others in conversations, and they're not able to wait their turn.
Inattentive ADHD is often mistaken for daydreaming in adults with no signs 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
The symptoms of ADHD can affect the daily functioning of a person such as at school, home or at work. They can also cause difficulties with social interaction and relationships. Many people who suffer from these symptoms aren't aware that they suffer from an identifiable condition, and they aren't likely to seek help. Screening for ADHD can reveal the problem and let a doctor recommend treatments.
Screening for ADHD includes a medical examination, a detailed interview with the patient and various other tests and questionnaires. The screening is performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist, or a neuroologist or a physician trained in the diagnosis of ADHD. Talk with your GP when you suspect your child may have ADHD. They can refer your child for an evaluation by a specialist.
To determine a diagnosis, the healthcare professional will look over the patient's symptoms, history and past treatment. They will then perform an examination of the body, conduct hearing and vision screenings and look for any medical conditions that could explain the patient's symptoms. They will utilize a combination of ADHD checklist of symptoms and standardized scores for behavioral ratings and conduct a thorough interview. Patients will be asked to describe their symptoms and how these affect their lives, both at home and in school. They will also be asked to provide information from family members and close friend.
A doctor can diagnose ADHD in children if they see at least six signs of inattentiveness, and/or at least five signs of hyperactivity or impulsivity as listed in the diagnostic criteria of ADHD. These symptoms have to be present for at least six month. They must be apparent in at least two places like school, home or at the workplace, and demonstrate a significant impairment. The symptoms must not be caused by physical or mental disorders.
Adults are more difficult to recognize as having ADHD because the ADHD diagnostic tools used for children and adolescents do not apply to adults. Certain doctors interview the patient or a close family member or friend. Other doctors utilize computers to conduct continuous performance tests that are specifically designed for adults with ADHD.
Medication
If ADHD is not treated, the signs can be a major influence on family life, work and school as well as social interactions. The medications can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. This improves functioning. There are many different medications available and sometimes it takes many attempts to discover the one that is effective for a particular individual. Therapy and behavior modification can also be important elements of treatment.
A specialist in diagnosing ADHD will perform a thorough examination. Depending on the results, she might refer the patient to another health care specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The doctor will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and then use standard rating scales to evaluate ADHD symptoms. The doctor might also have someone who knows the patient well for example, a spouse or sibling for adults; a coach, teacher or parent for childrento complete an interview form, which includes specific questions pertaining to ADHD symptoms and their impact on the patient.
Several different types of medication can be used to treat ADHD, and the doctor will discuss with the patient which is the most appropriate treatment. For some people the most effective medication is stimulants. They work by enhancing the activity in the areas of the brain that regulate attention and behavior. The most commonly prescribed medication is methylphenidate. It is available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release once-daily preparations.
Many children who suffer from ADHD are also suffering from other health issues that need to be treated and evaluated, including depression, anxiety or mood disorders. It is important for the parents and child to talk about these other issues with their healthcare provider. Idealy, the person with ADHD should consult a specialist for these issues all at once to ensure that they work together to improve functioning.
When starting medication it is essential to find an expert in the field who has experience in treating ADHD. Consult a doctor who's practice is covered by your insurance policy for a recommendation or contact the National Resource Center for ADHD to get a list qualified professionals. You can also contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to obtain the names of specialists in your area.
Treatment options
If a doctor suspects a patient of having ADHD, he will ask them to describe their symptoms in great detail. The evaluator will also review the patient's medical background, family history and psychiatric history. During the interview, the evaluator will look for symptoms that are similar to those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). A physical exam is suggested to rule out medical causes for the symptoms, for instance thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
It is crucial for the evaluator to get information from people who know the person well, including teachers and family members. The evaluator can use questionnaires that ask about the person's behavior and how it impacts their personal and professional lives. The evaluator can also ask for the review of performance or other documentation. If the person has an intimate relationship with a spouse or other close friends the evaluator may interview them too.
The evaluator should also know how the ADHD symptoms of the individual affect their daily functioning in the context of relationships school, work, and relationships. He or she may suggest behavioral therapy such as family or marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy or even marital or familial therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach the person practical skills for managing their symptoms and improving daily functioning. A therapist might for instance, show the patient how to manage their possessions and schedule regular activities to improve their time management.
Based on the specific situation the assessor may recommend a variety of psychological or neuropsychological tests to gain more complete information about the 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 might prescribe medication to control symptoms. The treatment plan may include psychotherapy and/or other lifestyle changes, such as altering the way the person performs tasks or utilizing accommodations (tools or modifications to a workplace that help someone with a disability to be a part of a job). The National Resource Center on ADHD has additional information about treatments for adults.