5 ADHD Diagnoses Myths You Should Avoid

ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Making an assessment is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.

The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behaviors.

Signs and symptoms

Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.

A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and completing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.

Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your life at home at work, or at school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.

If you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.

Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD.

During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's growth medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability where to get diagnosis for adhd focus, forgetting about things and interrupting other people.

There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two different settings, cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months.

If your child doesn't meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.

A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to adhd how to diagnose symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.

During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.

It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major situations, including home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.

Prevention

People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or struggle to hold an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.

The term ADD is still used frequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.

There are differences between the way that the disorder is exhibited by boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well and also standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough how to get adult adhd diagnosis impact functioning.

A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.

Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised how to get diagnosed with adhd have regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.