ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD need a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your past and perform physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
Full Article will also ask about your childhood behaviors, since the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include obtaining your school records and contact with your former teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up at work, school or at home, and has trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to stay organized, you may have ADHD. A health care provider's evaluation will help you determine if this is true and, if so, what treatment options there are.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for at least 6 months and be evident in at minimum two different environments (school and home, for instance). The symptoms must also be impacting your ability to perform for instance, in class, in creating close relationships, or working in a team. It's important to understand that everyone has problems staying focused and organized at times, but these problems are more serious with ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The providers will also examine your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will check for health issues like thyroid disorders or seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to be aware of whether your symptoms began in your early years (technically, before age 12). Your provider will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms affect you now and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially when they are written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician a an accurate description of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. adhd diagnosing can help your provider determine whether ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long time. They can also help your provider identify other conditions like anxiety or depression which can have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or lazyness. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding the disorder is fading away.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive and unfocused. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more prevalent in boys than girls, and were not related intelligence or home environments. Still's report is often credited with the start of formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition that listed a number of mental health issues. The second edition of the APA's manual listed several mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994 the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. This led to a greater understanding and acceptance of ADHD. Its name was changed to Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity and the standard definition of three types of ADHD symptoms was established: mostly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The current DSM-5 recognizes these as different types of presentations and states that they can change over time.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally recognised with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults who suffer from ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released guidelines on ADHD among children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Private and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. In recent years there has been a rise in interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This knowledge will help in the near future in developing more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the problem. They collect information from the patient's past including their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They will review the school records from the past and interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also examine how the symptoms have changed with time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria for determining ADHD in both adults and children. To meet these criteria, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in multiple settings, cause significant impairment and have started before age 12. The specialist will typically interview the person regarding their symptoms with a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific circumstance. They may also employ various rating scales that look at different aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on different criteria, such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you find it hard to manage your activities or work?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine whether there are any medical problems that might be causing or making the symptoms worse for example, thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing issues. They will also ask the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may be contributing to symptoms.
Anyone who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to complete an assessment together with their partner or a close friend. This provides a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially beneficial for those with multiple disorders like anxiety or depression. They often co-occur with ADHD and can make it difficult to discern the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They also examine the family history of the patient and their mental health.
They may ask for copies of the student's report card or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They might also request copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological tests, including the results of IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. In addition, they might interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is important to get a comprehensive assessment because people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure at colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the provider will often ask the patient to complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of individuals who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important part of the evaluation process.
It is also essential to check the person for other ailments that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use disorders and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, therefore it is essential to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is given.
To be considered to have ADHD, a child or an adult must meet several criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments, such as home, school, and work. The symptoms should also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Typically, the symptoms must begin in the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.