ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD need a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They will likely ask you about your history and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out conditions which can mimic ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors, since current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could mean getting your school records as well as contact with your former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Symptoms
You may have ADHD in the event that you or someone you know has trouble keeping track of time at work, school or at home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized and on track, then they could be suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by an expert in health care will help you determine whether this is the case, and If it is, what treatment options are available.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be noticeable in at least two settings (school and at home, as an instance). how to diagnose adhd should also be hindering your ability to function, for example in class, creating close relationships, or working in a group. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
To make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Providers will also review your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you may have been through. They will check for health issues such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've had symptoms during your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms impact you today and how they've affected you in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially if they're written down. This will help you remember the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate picture of the way your symptoms affect you. You may also bring other records like performance evaluations from your job or old report cards from school. Having these records can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only was diagnosed just recently. These records can help your doctor rule other problems out including anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or a sign of laziness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatments more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma associated with the disorder is fading away.
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 unfocused or who were unable to focus. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls, and were not related the quality of education or home environments. The report is often credited with the first official recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. However, in 1955, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most popular treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition, which listed a number of mental health conditions. It also included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still classified as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was increased 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 recognizes these as different types of presentations and states that they can change throughout a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized with support from healthcare and guidance for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland recommendations on the condition. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a rise in interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge will help in the future to create more targeted and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to establish the diagnosis. If they are a doctor who specializes in mental health (such as psychologist or psychiatrist) or an individual doctor who is trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather a variety of details about the person's past including family, educational, work and social history. They might look over old school records or interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed with time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines 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. The specialist will typically interview the patient about their symptoms with an assessment that is adapted to the specific situation. They may also employ a variety of rating scales which examine various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults, while others will be based on other factors, including questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" Do you struggle with organizing your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will check for any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such a thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision problems. They will also ask the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to symptoms.
Anyone who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to fill out the questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression. These often co-occur along with ADHD and can make it difficult to identify the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask a series of questions on how the symptoms affect their daily lives. They also examine the history of the patient's family and their mental health.
They often request that the person bring in report cards and school records to review, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They might also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological testing, such as results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic assessment. They may also interview friends, family members as well as teachers or employers. It is essential to obtain an accurate assessment as people with ADHD who are not treated may face serious issues. These could include financial problems (impulsive purchases) and marital problems or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of those suffering from ADHD with those of those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD but are an important element of the evaluation process.
It is crucial to assess the individual to determine if they have other conditions that might have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders, and addiction to drugs, as well as medical illnesses like thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is important that a proper diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is given.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments that include school, home, or work. The symptoms must also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Generally speaking, the symptoms should be present since the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.