How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
The process of confirming an ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking a test online or rating scale. The process includes an evaluation of both psychological and medical.
Doctors review medical and family history including past tests and old school records. They also interview parents as well as teachers and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are usually passed down from parents.
Symptoms
If a person is having trouble staying focused paying attention to specifics or even completing tasks that require a lot of focus this could be ADHD. However, many people have other disorders that can trigger the same symptoms as ADHD, including anxiety and depression. This is why a precise diagnosis is so important. A thorough assessment will help determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder.
A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or a psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist that is experienced in ADHD can conduct an evaluation. They will ask questions and discuss with the person about their symptoms, how long they've been experiencing them, how often they occur, and how severe they are. They will ask about the person's medical history and family history, their work and school experiences, and even the family.
It is crucial that a doctor be aware of any problems a patient may be having, such as relationship or financial problems. They may also need to speak to the person's employer or teacher about any problems they have experienced with the individual's performance at work or at school. For children, the doctor will interview parents and may also need to interview other adults such as teachers, coaches, or the nannies.
During the examination the doctor will collect the patient's medical history and do a physical. The physical can check for conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also examine the individual's education and work history and any other pertinent documents.
The provider will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. This could be a checklist of symptoms, or an assessment system that measures the feelings of an individual about certain behaviors. They can also conduct cognitive and learning disabilities tests to determine if a person has a learning disability or other conditions that mimic ADHD. They will also inquire about the person's lifestyle for example, whether they are in a stressful circumstance or suffer from any other illness that could cause ADHD symptoms worse. They will also ask the person about their ability to work with others and to follow the instructions.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of ADHD can affect many areas of life for both children and adults. The symptoms include trouble at school and at work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and strained relationships. They can also cause problems in driving and managing finances. Finding a medical professional who is familiar with ADHD is the first step to getting an accurate diagnosis. You could ask your child's doctor to run a test or you can seek out a psychiatrist certified in the field of mental illness.
The specialist will first interview the patient about their behavior. In general the doctor will look for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six month. This ensures that the symptoms are consistent and that they have persisted for a long time. The examiner will utilize an assessment scale to determine symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5.
In addition to examining current difficulties, the specialist will typically review the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health problems. The specialist will also review the individual's academic and driving records as well as relationship and family problems. The examiner wants to know the person's lifestyle and if they are a drug or alcohol user.
To diagnose ADHD, the specialist must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be better explained by a different disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in two or more situations and persist for at least six months. Furthermore, the symptoms should be debilitating and not related to any other disease.
The doctor may conduct one of more attention tests, such as the TOVA Continuous Performance Test to confirm a diagnosis. The TOVA test is administered by computer and involves watching visual stimuli like letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses a button when he or she sees the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to indicate the difficulty of people to focus on tasks.
Treatment
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is usually evaluated for the disorder by an expert in mental health. This will involve an extensive physical examination and a review of family and medical history, and a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation will contain questions regarding symptoms and how they affect the individual's functioning. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior as well as other psychological tests.
The clinician will also interview the patient and his significant other, if applicable. This is not to test honesty, but rather to get a better understanding of the patient's life experiences and behaviours. It is common for people with ADHD to have difficulty remembering details about their childhood. It may be useful to conduct interviews with people who have been with them for a long time. This will aid the doctor in determining other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
For children the evaluator may interview the child's teachers and parents. This is especially important if the child is having difficulties at school. The evaluator can also inquire about the child's social life, and how the school and home environment are structured. This is important since the social environment is the primary source of stress and difficulties for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the doctor will employ a similar rating scale, however it is more sophisticated and used to gather data from research studies on symptoms. In certain instances the examiner might utilize computerized testing to check for signs of ADHD. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most frequently used test. It was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is another type of test using computers that assesses an individual's attention span.
The evaluator will decide whether the person meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, medications will likely be included in the treatment program. Stimulant medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and provide quick relief from the symptoms. These drugs must, however be used with caution. Too much stimulant can lead to heart issues or addiction. The drugs that release slowly into the body like atomoxetine and Guanfacine, are less harmful but they don't work quite as quickly as stimulants. These drugs may not be an option for children suffering from some medical issues such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an additional component of a treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can assist people to organize themselves better and devise strategies to improve their relationships and work. adhd in adults test can show the client how to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners in order to keep on track. A therapist can assist adults with ADHD manage their emotions and find ways to manage stressors.
For adults suffering from ADHD, a psychologist or psychiatrist may administer tests that screen for anxiety, depression learning disabilities, depression and other disorders that can appear similar to or coexist with ADHD, such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychologists may conduct a physical exam and look over the person's medical history, family history and behaviour.
Some therapists utilize computers to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability of a person's brain to maintain concentration and withstand impulsive impulses by showing visual targets on the screen of a computer. The test assesses a person's cognitive function and can be used in conjunction with self-report questions to provide the doctor an objective measurement of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how the body will process medication. The test will help doctors choose the best drug for each person and avoid harmful negative side effects. This type of testing can be expensive and is not widely accessible. A medical professional is the most reliable way to identify ADHD in an individual.