ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is well-versed in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your history and conduct physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions which could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid disorders.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior, as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include finding your school records and contact with your former teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Symptoms
You could be suffering from ADHD If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at work, school or home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to keep track of important dates or appointments and on track, then they could be suffering from ADHD. A health care provider's evaluation can help you determine whether this is the case and, if so what the treatment options are.
The symptoms must be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in certain ways, such as performing well in school, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying focused and organized at times, but these issues are more severe with ADHD.
To make an assessment, your doctor will conduct an interview and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you may have had. They will search for health issues, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders that could cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to know if your symptoms started in your early years (technically at the age of 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing what your symptoms are doing to you right now and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially when they are written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician 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 school report cards. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. They can also help your doctor rule out other problems like anxiety or depression, which often have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. With advances in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is diminishing.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations of children who were unfocused and incapable of focusing. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more prevalent in boys than girls and were unrelated to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. The report is often credited with the first formal recognition of ADHD.
how to diagnose adhd of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant medications which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA released its second edition that included a list of mental health issues. It included symptoms of ADHD however they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
In 1994, the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. This led to greater understanding and acceptance 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 defines these as presentations rather than distinct types and states that they can change throughout a person's lifetime.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally acknowledged with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Private and non-profit organizations have also issued guidance. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes responsible for it. This knowledge may help to create better targeted, more effective treatments in the future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to determine if they have a diagnosis. They collect information about the person's past as well as their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They might look over old school records or talk to coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also examine how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria for determining ADHD in both 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 usually interview the patient about their symptoms using an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They will also use various rating scales which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a number of other criteria. They also include questions like "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your time or tasks?"
They will perform a physical exam. They will determine if there are any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to get worse, like thyroid problem, hearing or vision issues. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood the person will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a close family member. This provides a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. diagnosis of adhd go over the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They often ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records to review, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They may also request copies of prior tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological which include IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically the psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. In addition, they might interview friends, family members and teachers as well. It is crucial to conduct an extensive evaluation as people who are not treated for ADHD may have serious issues that include financial issues (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failing in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor might 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 individuals with ADHD to those of people without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD but are an important part of the evaluation process.
It is also important to check the person for other conditions that could be similar to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and to be treated accordingly.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet a number of requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptoms in at least two settings like home, school, and work. The symptoms must severely hinder the normal functioning of their lives. The symptoms must first be noticed in childhood and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder wasn't caused by an illness of the mind or other co-occurring conditions.