How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Getting a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking a test online or rating scale. The process involves an evaluation of both psychological and medical.
Doctors review medical and family histories including school records from the past and past tests. Teachers, parents and children are interviewed about the symptoms. ADHD symptoms are typically inherited.
Symptoms
ADHD is diagnosed when a person struggles to stay on task or pay attention to specifics or to start and finish tasks that require focus. Many people suffer from other disorders, such as depression or anxiety, which may cause the same symptoms. It is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough assessment will help determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder.
A mental health professional who has had experience dealing with adult ADHD or psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is skilled in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask the patient questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also talk about how severe they are and how long it's been since they first started and how often they occur. They will also inquire about the family and medical history as well as their school and work schedules.
It is essential that a doctor knows about any problems a patient may be having, such as relationship or financial issues. click for source may also wish to speak to the person's employer or teacher about any issues they've had with the person's performance in the classroom or at work. The doctor will interview parents, and may have to interview other adults such as teachers or coaches, nannies or coaches.
During the exam the provider will inquire about the patient's medical history and conduct a physical. The physical will look for conditions that can cause symptoms that look like ADHD or other disorders, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also review any relevant records, such as the person's work and educational history.
The provider will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. This could include a checklist of symptoms or a rating scale that measures how the person feels about specific actions. They may also use tests for cognitive or learning disabilities to determine if someone has a disorder that mimics ADHD or a learning problem. They may also inquire about the person's life and lifestyle, for example, if they are in a stressful environment or suffer from any other illness which could make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person's ability to follow instructions and work with others.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children in a variety of areas of their lives. These symptoms include difficulties at work and in school, poor performance during activities outside of school, and tension in relationships. They can also cause problems in driving and managing money. The first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. The doctor of your child can conduct the test, or you may want to find a psychiatrist who specializes in mental disorders.
The specialist will first interview the patient about their behavior. In general the doctor will look for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six month. This will ensure that the symptoms are consistent over time. The examiner will employ an assessment scale that is designed to assess the symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders).
In addition to asking about current issues, the doctor will typically look over the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health issues. He or she will also review the person's academic and driving history, as well as family and relationship problems. The examiner is interested in knowing the lifestyle of the person and if they are drug or alcohol addict.
To determine if you have ADHD, the specialist must be convinced that the symptoms are not better explained by another disorder. The symptoms should be present at least twice, and for a minimum of six months. Additionally, the symptoms must be severe and not be due to any other condition.
To confirm the diagnosis, the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is administered using a computer and involves observing visual stimuli such as the shapes or letters that appear on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and then presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to show the difficulty of an individual to complete attention-related tasks.
Treatment
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is usually examined for the disorder by a mental health professional. This may include a physical exam, a review medical and family histories and a mental assessment. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and their impact on a person's functioning, standard ADHD behavior rating scales, and other psychological testing.
The clinician will also interview the patient and his significant other, if applicable. This is not to examine honesty, but to gain insight into the patient's experiences and behavior. It is typical for those who suffer from ADHD to have difficulty recalling details from their childhood. It can be useful to conduct interviews with adults who have known them for a long period of time. This information can help the clinician determine if there are other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
For children, the evaluator will often interview the children's teachers and parents. This is particularly important in the event that the child is experiencing issues at school. Additionally, the evaluator will likely inquire about the child's relationships with others and how their school and home environments are structured. This is important because the social environment is the primary source of stress and challenges for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the doctor will use a similar rating scale, but it is more sophisticated and used to gather research data about symptoms. In some cases the examiner will employ computerized testing to screen for ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS, is the most commonly used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers is the continuous performance test (CPT), is a measure of an individual's ability to sustain attention for a set amount of time.
For young adults and adolescents, the evaluator will also examine whether or not the individual is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD medication will most likely be included in the treatment plan. The stimulant drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and provide quick relief from symptoms. However, these medications must be administered with care. Too much stimulant can lead to heart issues or addiction. The medications that release slowly into the body, like atomoxetine and Guanfacine are more secure, but they don't work as fast as stimulants. These medications may not be available for children suffering from certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an additional component of a treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can help people learn to improve their organization and devise strategies to improve their relationships and work. For instance, a therapist might instruct the client to use reminders like alarms or daily planners to help them stay on the right track. A therapist can assist people with ADHD manage their emotions and discover ways to deal with stressors.
For adults with ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist can conduct tests that screen for depression, anxiety, learning disabilities and other disorders that may look like or coexist with ADHD such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychologists may also conduct a physical examination and examine the patient's medical records, family history, and behavior.
Some therapists employ computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability to maintain attention and resist impulse-driven urges by presenting the person with visual targets on a screen. The test is designed to gauge the cognitive performance of a person and can be used in conjunction with self-report questionnaires in order to provide the clinician with an objective measure of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how the body will process medications. The test will help doctors choose the right medication for each patient and prevent adverse side effects. This type of testing can be costly and is not widely available. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to determine ADHD in a person.