ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and those around you, such as a spouse, sibling or friend for adults -- about symptoms. This often provides information that questionnaires cannot.

Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge because the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It's crucial to find an ADHD professional who will take the time to evaluate you.

Symptoms

To conduct an ADHD evaluation, the first step is for the patient to be honest and open about symptoms and how they affect his life. Some adults do not want to admit they struggle with paying attention to directions, or organising tasks, but obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the best way to gain control of symptoms and live happier and healthier lives.

The evaluator will ask the person to provide information about their medical and personal history from childhood to present. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Association’s clinical guidelines for 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 caused significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as school or at work. The evaluator must be able to rule out other conditions which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or intellectual impairment.

In addition to an interview, a doctor may utilize behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptoms checklists to collect information about the severity of the symptoms. Psychological tests that assess executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning, and working memory can aid in identifying bupa adhd diagnosis symptoms in adults. Doctors may request permission depending on the situation to contact family members or friends who could offer valuable advice and support. For example, they might seek out the names of parents, spouses or siblings to interview them about the person's problems at home and at work.

A physical exam is usually included in an ADHD assessment. It could help rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that look like ADHD. The evaluator could conduct a neurological examination to determine if there is any sign of damage or injury to the brain that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator could also recommend blood and urinary tests to determine if there are other conditions that could affect treatment. For instance depression, addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that can be seen in different situations, like at home, work or at school. They must be present for a long amount of time. The doctor will determine how much your 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 adhere to guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review your child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They might also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will consist of an overview of your child's medical, family, and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's daily mood, behavior, and performance.

It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V is it worth getting an adhd diagnosis designed to help diagnose children. There is some debate as to whether the criteria still apply 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. These symptoms must be present for a prolonged time and must interfere with the daily activities at school, work, or at home.

Apart from conducting a medical interview, your doctor may request other tests to determine severity of your child's symptoms. This may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help rule out an illness that causes the same symptoms, like depression or learning disabilities.

A request to your family doctor to recommend you to an expert who can assess your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is a good place to start. You can also call your insurance provider to see if there are professionals that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also contact a local group of support and request suggestions. You can also try calling a university-based hospital or a medical or graduate school for a list of professionals who conduct ADHD evaluations.

Treatment

ADHD symptoms can lead to serious issues at work and in school and interfere with relationships. Getting a diagnosis and taking medication can improve performance and lessen symptoms. Patients with ADHD might also have to alter their lifestyles, such as changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise.

A person with ADHD should consult with the primary care doctor or psychiatrist or both to get an assessment. In this in-person consultation the professional will discuss subjects like development as well as family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and issues. The practitioner will ask questions about the patient's performance, behavior and productivity, and if they have trouble with impulsive behavior or focus. They will want to know about how to get an adhd diagnosis as an adult long the symptoms have gone on, the location and time they started and how much distress or problems they create.

The evaluator may need to talk to other people in the life of the patient, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers and daycare providers for children. They can provide information that questionnaires are unable to provide, such as the fact that the person often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also provide insight into what triggers symptoms.

Many behavioral therapies and medications treat ADHD. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant medications such as dexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the flow of blood to the brain and suppress the impulse to act, allowing people to pay attention and follow directions. These drugs can be taken by mouth or intravenously and are generally well tolerated.

Therapy can help people suffering from ADHD develop strategies to deal with the challenges they encounter. Therapists can help people learn how to manage their lives, track their appointments and provide support and guidance when dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms have on their work and home life. Family and marriage therapy can help address problems caused by the disorder that affects relationships, as well as teaching coping skills for conflict and discord that can be triggered in these situations.

Medication

For an expert to diagnose ADHD it is necessary to evaluate various aspects. They will inquire with your child about his or her symptoms at school, home and in other places. They may also use scales and questionnaires that are specifically designed for ADHD. They may also ask about family history. They will also look for other conditions that may cause the symptoms, for example 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 to confirm ADHD. This includes X-rays and blood tests. To diagnose ADHD your child's doctor will follow guidelines that were developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are designed for children between 4 and 18 years old. It is more difficult to identify ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD may change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two.

To be diagnosed with ADHD the child must have 6 or more of the symptoms as described in the guidelines for diagnosis. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must have been present for a minimum of six months. If your child is being tested for ADHD It is crucial that someone familiar with them conducts an interview. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily functioning, and how they compare with other children their own age.

Medication is the most popular form of treatment for ADHD. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications are available to treat ADHD. Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the most commonly prescribed. These drugs help boost and balance levels of certain brain chemicals. Other drugs that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine, as well as antipsychotics. They are less potent than stimulants, but are useful for those who cannot take stimulants due too severe side effects or health issues. The use of medications can be in conjunction with other treatments for example, cognitive behavioral therapy.