ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A healthcare professional who's evaluating ADHD will interview you and the people closest to you -- your spouse, sibling, or friend when you're an adultabout your symptoms. This may provide information that questionnaires cannot.

It's more difficult to determine ADHD in adults, because diagnostic guidelines are designed for children. It is important to find a doctor who specializes in the field who takes his or her time in evaluating your case.

Signs and symptoms

For an ADHD assessment, the first step is to allow the patient to talk openly and honestly about the 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 healthier life.

The examiner will inquire of the person about their medical and personal history from childhood until the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for the treatment of 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. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two major situations, like school or at work. In addition, the evaluator must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or an intellectual impairment.

A doctor could also utilize ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information regarding the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning and working memory can help identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may request permission, based on the circumstance, to reach out to family members or friends who can offer valuable insight and support. For instance, they could seek out the names of parents, spouses, or siblings to interview them about the person's struggles at home and at work.

A physical examination is often part of an adhd private diagnosis assessment. It can help rule other disorders out that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid issues and seizures can cause symptoms that look a lot like ADHD. The evaluator may conduct a neurological examination to see whether there is any evidence of injury or damage to the brain that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to check for the presence of any other conditions that could interfere with treatment, like depression or alcohol and addiction.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that occur in different settings, like at work, home, or school. They should also last for a lengthy period of time. The doctor will evaluate how to get diagnosed add these symptoms impact your everyday 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 criteria for adult adhd and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review the child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will include your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric background. You will be asked questions about your child's mood, behavior, and performance.

It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V is designed to diagnose children. There is some debate about whether the criteria are still applicable in 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 be suffering from these symptoms for an extended time period and must be able to interfere with their daily life at school, at home, or work.

Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor may request other tests to determine the extent of your or the child's symptoms. This could include a blood test or an EEG. Other tests can be used to rule out a condition that is causing similar symptoms, such as depression or learning disabilities.

To find an expert to evaluate your or the child's ADHD you can begin by asking your family doctor for an appointment. You can also contact your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Another option is to contact a local support group and ask for suggestions. You can also call a medical school or university-based hospital to request a list of professionals that conduct ADHD evaluations.

Treatment

ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work and in school and may cause issues with relationships. Getting a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve performance and lessen symptoms. People suffering from ADHD may also have to alter their lifestyles like adjusting their sleep schedules and using a daily planner, or increasing their exercise.

A person suffering from ADHD must be assessed by their primary healthcare provider or an expert in mental health. During the in-person interview the practitioner will talk about topics such as the development of the person, their family history, lifestyle, and the current symptoms. The practitioner will ask about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they have problems with impulsive or focusing actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, when and where they began and the level of distress they cause.

The evaluator may want to talk to other people in the life of the patient, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults, as well as teachers, coaches or daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot like how the person often stops tasks mid-way or forgets things and what types of situations cause symptoms.

ADHD is treated using various behavioral therapies and drugs. Medications may include stimulants like amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase the flow of blood to the brain and reduce impulsive actions which allows people to be attentive and follow directions. They can be administered either orally or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.

Therapy can help those with ADHD come up with strategies to compensate for the challenges they face. Therapists can teach people techniques to organize their lives and track their appointments, and offer support and guidance in dealing with the impact of ADHD symptoms on their home and work life. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a fantastic way to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach strategies for dealing with stress and assist in resolving conflicts that might occur.

Medication

To allow a health professional to diagnose ADHD it is necessary to evaluate many things. They will ask your child about his or her symptoms at school, at home and in other places. They may also use questionnaires or scales that are specific for ADHD. They may also ask about the history of their family. They will search for other conditions that could explain the symptoms, like mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they impact your child's daily life.

There is no physical test that can diagnose ADHD. This includes X-rays and blood tests. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines are geared towards children between 4 and 18 years old. Adults are more difficult to identify. 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 display six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed with ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least six months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD it is recommended that they be evaluated by someone who is familiar with them. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders, and other caregivers. You should also ask them what the effects of their ailments are on their daily functioning, and how they compare to other children of their age.

The most popular treatment for ADHD is medication. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medication are available to treat ADHD. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants. These drugs help boost and regulate levels of certain brain chemicals. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are drugs that treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they can be helpful for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe adverse reactions. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.