ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?
A healthcare professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will ask you and people close to you -- such as your spouse, sibling, or friend for adults -- about the symptoms. This is often a way to gain insights that questionnaires don't.
Finding out if you have ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge since the diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children. It is essential to find a specialist in the condition who takes the time in evaluating your case.
Symptoms
To conduct an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to have the patient discuss openly and honestly about his symptoms and how they impact his life. Adults may not want admit they have trouble paying attention, following directions or organizing tasks. But getting an accurate diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a more enjoyable life.
The examiner will inquire of the individual about their medical and personal history from childhood to present. The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines for treating 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 led to significant impairments in at least two important settings, such as work or school. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or an intellectual disability.
A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information on the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess executive functioning, working memory skills, and spatial and visual reasoning can be helpful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may request permission depending on the situation to speak with family members or friends who may offer valuable insight and help. For example, they might request the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to speak with them about the person's problems at home and at work.
A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD evaluation, since it can help identify other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. In some instances, thyroid issues and seizures can be a cause of ADHD. The evaluator may also conduct an examination of the brain to determine if there are signs of brain injury or damage which could cause the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest urine and blood tests to determine the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, such as depression, alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will look at symptoms that are present in various situations, like at work, home, or school. The symptoms must also persist for a prolonged period of time. The doctor will evaluate how these symptoms affect your day-to-day 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 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will examine the child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will consist of a review of your child's medical, family, and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's mood and behavior as well as their productivity.
For adults, it is trickier to make an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V symptom guide is designed toward diagnosing children, and there is some debate over whether these criteria are still applicable to adulthood. 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 time period, and they must significantly hinder their daily activities at school, at home or at work.
In addition to conducting a clinical interview, your doctor might request additional tests to determine the extent of your or your child's symptoms. These could include a blood test or an EEG. Other tests can help identify an illness that causes similar symptoms, such as learning disabilities or depression.
To find an expert to evaluate your the child's ADHD, you can start by asking your family doctor for an appointment. You can also reach out to your insurance company to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your insurance plan. You can also reach out to a local support group and ask for recommendations. You can also contact the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school for a list of professionals who conduct ADHD assessments.
Treatment
ADHD symptoms can lead to serious issues at work and in school and may cause issues with relationships. If you are diagnosed with ADHD and taking medication to improve your performance can help decrease symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also need to change their lifestyle, such as adjusting sleep schedules or using a daily planner or increasing their exercise.
A person with ADHD must be assessed by their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In this interview the doctor will discuss topics including the development of the disorder, family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and problems. The practitioner will inquire about the individual's performance, behavior, and productivity, and if they have trouble with impulsive actions or focus. They'll be interested in knowing how the symptoms have lasted on, when and where they first began and how much stress or problems they create.
The evaluator could discuss other people involved in the patient's daily life, including spouses, parents siblings, teachers, coaches, daycare providers, or family members. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot be able to provide, for instance, the fact that the patient often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also provide insight into what situations trigger symptoms.
ADHD is treated with a variety of behavioral therapies and drugs. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs boost blood flow to the brain and reduce actions that are impulsive that allow people to pay attention and follow instructions. The drugs can be taken either orally or intravenously, and they generally are well-tolerated.
Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD develop strategies to compensate for the challenges they encounter. Therapists can assist people in learning how to organize their lives, track their appointments and provide support and guidance when dealing with the effects ADHD symptoms have on their work and family life. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help address problems caused by the disorder in relationships and teach coping skills for conflict and disagreement that may arise in these situations.
Medication
To allow a health professional to diagnose ADHD the doctor must look at various aspects. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, in schools, and elsewhere. They will also use scales and questionnaires that are specifically designed for ADHD. They may also request a family history. They may also search for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as mood disorders and learning disabilities. diagnosis of adhd will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and if they are affecting your child's daily life.
There isn't a physical test for ADHD such as a blood test or an X-ray. To determine if you have ADHD your child's doctor will follow guidelines that were developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are for children aged between 4 and 18. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. This is because 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 show six or more of the symptoms described in the guidelines to be classified with ADHD. The guidelines also state the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD the child should be evaluated by someone who is familiar with them. This includes teachers and coaches, religious leaders, and other caregivers. You should also inquire what their symptoms impact their daily life and how they perform to other children of their age.
The most common treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to treat ADHD. Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Other medications that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine as well as some antipsychotics. They work slower than stimulants, however they can be helpful for people who are unable to use stimulant drugs due to health problems or severe side effects. They can be combined with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral treatment.