Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning ADHD Diagnoses
Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning ADHD Diagnoses
Blog Article
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step in managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may request old reports, and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.
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 also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, 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 health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms are more likely 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school and in social settings. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be examined. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things, and interrupting others.
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 settings and cause your child to perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child doesn't meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation could include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and your family. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment 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 symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at least six months.
During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find jobs. These individuals must be treated too.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time but it's not the most popular. The newer definition is based on the fact that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences in the way the disorder is exhibited by girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales completed both by family members and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most common website treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.