ADHD Evaluation - What Happens in the First Step?

A medical professional conducting an adhd evaluation process assessment will question you and people close to you -- such as your spouse, sibling or a friend for adults -- about symptoms. This will provide information that questionnaires cannot.

It is more difficult to determine adhd private diagnosis in adults, since the guidelines for diagnosis are developed for children. It's important to find a specialist in the condition who takes his or her time with your evaluation.

Signs and symptoms

For an ADHD assessment, the initial step is to allow the patient to be honest and open about his symptoms and how they affect his life. Adults might not want to admit to having trouble paying attention, following directions or managing tasks. But getting diagnosed with add as an adult 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 to the present. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder, which are found 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 impairments in at least two important situations, like work or school. Additionally, the examiner must rule out any other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety or an intellectual disability.

In addition to an interview, a doctor may use behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptoms checklists to gather information regarding the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that test working memory, executive functioning skills and visual and spatial reasoning are useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Based on the specific situation doctors will often request permission to speak with people close to the person in order to provide valuable information and help. For instance, they could seek out the names of spouses, parents or siblings to speak with them about the individual's issues at home and at work.

A physical examination is often part of an ADHD assessment. It can help rule other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In certain instances thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The evaluator could also perform an examination of the brain to determine if there are signs of brain injury or damage that could explain the symptoms. The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to check for the presence of other conditions that could interfere with treatment, such as depression, alcohol or substance abuse.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will look at symptoms that occur in different settings, like at work, at home, or school. The symptoms should also last for a long time. The doctor will then assess the extent to which your symptoms affect 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.

Doctors employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will evaluate the child's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They might also conduct an interview. The interview will cover your child's medical background, family history and psychiatric background. They will also ask questions about how your child's behavior affects their daily mood, behaviors and productivity.

It is more difficult to identify adults. The DSM-V symptom guide is targeted towards diagnosing adhd in adults children, but there is some disagreement about whether these criteria apply to adults. 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 duration and affect the daily activities at school, work, or at home.

Your doctor might also recommend other tests in addition to a clinical interview to determine the nature and severity of your symptoms or that of your child. These may include blood tests or an EEG. Other tests can help to determine if a condition is similar to depression or learning disabilities.

To find an expert to assess the child's ADHD you can begin by asking your doctor for a referral. You can also contact your insurance company to find out if there are professionals that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also reach out to an organization in your area and request recommendations. You can also call an academic medical center or university hospital to request the list of specialists who perform ADHD assessments.

Treatment

ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work or at school, and can cause problems with relationships. Diagnosed with ADHD, taking medication and improving your performance can help decrease symptoms. People with ADHD might also have to adjust their lifestyle like changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise.

A person with ADHD should consult with their primary care doctor or a mental health professional or both to receive an evaluation. In the interview in person, a practitioner will discuss issues like development, family history, lifestyle and current symptoms. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance productivity, as well as if they are having issues with impulsive or focus-focused actions. They will ask about the duration of the symptoms, when they began, and from where, and the amount of distress they cause.

The evaluator is likely to want to talk to other people in the life of the patient, like parents, spouses, or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers or daycare providers for children. These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot give, such as the fact that the person frequently forgets or stops tasks in mid-stream. They can also reveal what situations trigger symptoms.

ADHD is treated with various behavioral therapies and medications. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs boost blood flow to the brain and decrease the impulse to act that allow people to concentrate and follow directions. They can be administered either orally or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated.

Therapy can help people with ADHD come up with strategies to overcome the challenges they encounter. Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives and track their appointments, as well as provide assistance and guidance when dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on family and work. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a great method to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach coping skills and help resolve conflict that may arise.

Medication

For a medical professional to identify ADHD it is necessary to evaluate several things. They will inquire with your child about their symptoms at school, home and other places. They will also use scales or questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also request an history of the family. They may also search for other conditions that may be the cause of the symptoms, like learning disabilities and mood disorders. They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they interfere with your child's life.

There is no physical test to diagnose ADHD. This includes blood tests and X-rays. To get a diagnosis, your child's healthcare provider will follow guidelines that were developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines are intended for children aged between 4 and 18. It is difficult to determine ADHD in adults. This is due to the fact that 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 exhibit six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed as having ADHD. The guidelines also state that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD, they should be questioned by a person who knows them well. Included in this are their coaches, teachers, religious leaders and other caregivers. You should also ask them how their symptoms affect their daily functioning and how they perform to other children their age.

Medication is the most common treatment option for ADHD. Both nonstimulant and stimulant medications can be prescribed to treat ADHD. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other stimulants. These medications balance and boost levels of certain brain chemical. Other medications that can be used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine and some antipsychotics. They work slower than stimulants, but they can be beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side effects. These medications can be utilized with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral treatment.