ADHD Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be trickier than diagnosing ADHD in children. A reliable diagnosis begins with a consultation with an expert in ADHD.
You must bring any medical or academic records to your appointment. It's also beneficial to bring rating scales and interviews that provide information about your health issues.
Signs and symptoms
A doctor will conduct a physical examination and interview you to determine whether ADHD is present. The evaluator may ask questions about the person's childhood and family history and use checklists to note symptoms. The evaluator will also review the records of work and school and may wish to speak with teachers or other individuals who spend time with the person.
The evaluator will use the official lists of symptoms for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity to determine whether the person meets diagnostic criteria. These criteria include that the person suffers from multiple symptoms that last for at least 6 months and that the symptoms occur in more than one setting like at home and at school or at work. The evaluator may also look for other ailments that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression, or a thyroid issue.
In adults the evaluator will evaluate how severe the symptoms are and how they impact work or social life. The evaluation will also inquire how the individual feels about his or her symptoms and how they interfere with daily functioning.
Many people with ADHD have trouble remembering whether their problems started in childhood or later. For that reason, the specialist will usually interview someone who is familiar with the person like siblings or spouses for an adult; an educator or parent for a child. The evaluator might utilize checklists for adults and for children, a list of behaviors to watch for.
Unlike in the past, the current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD stipulate that an adult cannot be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that symptoms appeared before the age of 12. This change is designed to stop people who experienced ADHD as children from being misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Medical History
If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD The first step is to find an expert who can perform an extensive evaluation. Ask your doctor or a mental health specialist in your area for recommendations, or search the phone book for "psychiatry" and "psychology." You can also join an adult ADHD support group, as many will have worked with local specialists who can offer referrals.
During the ADHD diagnostic evaluation, a healthcare specialist will examine the patient's medical and family history. They will inquire about how the symptoms interfere with functioning in various settings, such as at home, at work or in relationships. It is crucial to determine the severity of the symptoms as the APA's guidelines for ADHD stipulate that the symptoms must cause significant impairment in order to be diagnosed.
The healthcare professional will typically interview the patient, however, they might also request to talk to his or her parents, siblings and friends who are familiar with him. Some professionals will have people complete questionnaires or ratings scales, including ADHD symptoms checklists as well as standardized behavior ratings. Teachers and other caregivers are often useful sources of information too.
It is essential to evaluate the extent to which the individual's symptoms interfere in various situations, since the APA's diagnostic guidelines stipulate that the symptoms must occur frequently and affect performance. This is important because other conditions, such as mood disorders and learning disabilities can present similarly to ADHD (Austerman, 2015). A medical exam may also be conducted to determine if there are any other possible reasons for the symptoms. These could include thyroid issues as well as hearing or vision issues, or medications such as stimulants and sedatives.
Family History
In certain cases there is an ancestor's history of ADHD is a major aspect in obtaining a diagnosis. It is highly genetically inherited, and a review of the patient's and their relatives' histories can help determine if there is any family-related pattern.
It is essential that doctors get a complete picture about the symptoms of their patients, which includes whether or not they happen at work, in school, or social situations. A doctor must also determine the degree to which the patient's symptoms interfere with everyday functioning. This is more important than merely counting symptoms or looking at the level of intelligence of a patient.
A doctor can interview the child or teen as well as the parents. In a majority of cases, a pediatrician or psychiatrist is specialized in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD. A mental health specialist with extensive experience in ADHD is required to conduct an in-depth interview for adults.
A thorough assessment usually includes a physical exam, which can rule out specific medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. A complete medical history is also taken. For children, this may include previous medical and school records, as well as a psychological evaluation by a school counselor or psychologist. For adults, old school records are often helpful in determining if symptoms started in childhood.
When diagnosing adults in particular, it is crucial to look at how the symptoms impact everyday functioning. A thorough psychiatric evaluation may also be necessary that includes the use of questionnaires and rating scales by the patient and their caregivers, a medical interview and referral for medical examination. In addition psychometric or neuropsychological assessments is sometimes used for adults to determine how the symptoms are related to learning disorders and other cognitive impairments.
Interviews
A provider will ask you or your child questions about their issues at school, home and in the community. The provider will inquire about your or child's medical personal, family, and medical history, and will review any records that you may have, like old school report cards. This information will allow the provider to decide if you or your child is required to take tests for ADHD.
Your provider will use rating scales to identify if you or your child meets criteria for ADHD, including six established symptoms in the two main categories of the disorder -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. The ratings are typically conducted over a six-month period, which includes both at home and school. The ratings should be provided by those who know your child or you well, including teachers, coaches and Scouts, religious leaders and parents.
Adults and children who are diagnosed with ADHD have symptoms that are debilitating, and can hinder their daily functioning whether at work, school or playing. Symptoms should start in the early years of childhood, usually before 12 years of age. They can't be caused by a mental health issue.
The sensitivity and precision of ADHD assessments can be enhanced by using psychometric and neuropsychological tests that test IQ and cognitive function. They should be used in conjunction with a physician's interview and rating scales as part of a comprehensive assessment strategy. These assessments could include the administration a standardized test like the ADHD Diagnostic Interview for Adults or a computerized testing method that tests executive functions, short-term memory and speed of response. In the future digital technology, such as virtual reality and head sensors that monitor head movements for continuous performance tests, may help improve ecological validity by allowing people to be immersed into their natural environment instead of sitting in a clinic.
Tests
If your doctor or mental healthcare professional suspects ADHD they might recommend you to an ADHD specialist. A thorough assessment will consist of an extensive interview, data from other sources such as your spouse or significant others, and standardized behavior ratings scales for ADHD. Based on the clinical impression, the evaluator may also request tests to check for other conditions that could influence your symptoms, such as depression, learning disabilities, or a medical condition.
In order to conduct an accurate ADHD evaluation, the evaluator must determine if your symptoms significantly impact your life and performance. linked web-site can be in a variety settings such as your workplace, home, school and social relationships. The examiner should inquire about what your symptoms have affected you in each situation. This will assist the evaluator identify the cause and make treatment recommendations.
A comprehensive assessment will comprise in addition to symptoms ratings and standardized tests for performance for ADHD. These tests are built on research that compares the behavior of those with ADHD and those without. They enhance the effectiveness of a clinical interview by focusing on specific behavior rather than a person's overall functioning. These tests can help evaluators detect when an individual is lying or trying to cheat a test. This problem has been recognized in the field for many years.
In addition to the standardized test and the symptom-rating scales as well as the symptom rating scales, an extensive ADHD assessment should include brain scans and other imaging techniques for the brain. These tests are not used in clinical settings due to the fact that they are costly and expose patients to ionizing radioactivity.