ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD need a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and do an examination. They'll also rule out conditions that may resemble ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior, because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines state that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed unless there is evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include obtaining your school records and getting in touch with former teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
You could have ADHD in the event that you or someone you love has trouble keeping track of time at school, work or at home. If they are unable to remember important dates or appointments, or cannot keep their schedules in order it is possible that they are suffering from ADHD. adhd in adults diagnosis can help you determine whether this is the case, and, if so what the treatment options are.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and be apparent in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, for instance). They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in certain ways, such as doing well in class, developing close relationships, or functioning as a member of a team. It's crucial to understand that everyone struggles to stay organized and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Your doctor will also go over your family history as well as any previous psychological or medical tests you've had. They will look for health issues like thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you if you have ever had symptoms during your childhood (technically before the age of 12). Your doctor will also want to know how your symptoms affect you right now and in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially if they are written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician a an accurate picture of how your symptoms affect you. You can also bring records such as the performance evaluations you receive from work or old report cards from school. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your doctor rule other problems out including depression and anxiety that share similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or lazyness. With advancements in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma surrounding this disorder is fading.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were unfocused or who were unable to focus. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more prevalent in boys than girls and were not related intelligence or home environments. Still's report has been considered to be the first the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA published its second edition, which listed a number of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD however they were still called hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
The release of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was a 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 considers these as presentations, rather than distinct types, and says that they can change throughout the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) has released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first time that the UK as an entire officially recognized adults with ADHD and provided them with healthcare, funding, support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Private organizations and charities have also issued guidance. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This information could help create better targeted, more effective treatments in the future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the severity of the condition. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or an individual doctor who is trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather details about the patient's life, including education, family, and social history. They may review old school records or talk to teachers, coaches, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they impact life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
adhd in adults diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria to diagnose ADHD in 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 typically interview the person about their symptoms with a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific circumstance. They also employ various rating scales to evaluate different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a range of other criteria. They also include questions like "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your activities or work?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look to determine if there are any medical issues that might be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a trusted friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially beneficial for people with comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions on how their symptoms affect their daily lives. They also look over a patient's mental health and family history.
They usually request that the person bring in their report cards and school records for review, especially those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic assessment. In addition, they could interview family members, friends and teachers as well. It is important to get an extensive assessment since people with ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. This includes financial problems (impulsive purchases) and marital problems or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compared the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important element of the assessment process.
It is also crucial to check the person for other conditions that could have similar symptoms to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is essential that a correct diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is given.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet a number of criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptoms in more than one setting like school, home or at work, and their symptoms must significantly interfere with their everyday functioning. Generally, the symptoms must have started in childhood, and a psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.