ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They'll likely ask about your history and do a physical exam. They'll also rule out conditions which could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors because the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include getting your school records as well as getting in touch with former teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at school, work or at home, and has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is unable to get organized or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by your health professional can help you determine whether this is the case, and in the event that it is an issue, what treatments are available.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms should also be hindering your ability to function for instance, in class, in forming close relationships or in working in a group. It's important to understand that everyone has issues staying focused and organized sometimes, but these problems are more serious for those with ADHD.
In order to make a diagnosis, your provider will conduct an interview and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. Providers will also review your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you may have had. They will look for health problems like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've had symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). Your provider will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms are affecting you at the moment and in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's helpful to bring your own list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will aid in remembering them and give your physician a an accurate picture of how your symptoms impact you. You can also bring records, such as performance evaluations from work or old report cards from school. These records can help your provider determine whether ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider to rule out other conditions like anxiety and depression that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or lazyness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is diminishing.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive or who were unable to focus. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent in boys than in girls and were not related to intelligence or home environment. Still's report has been credited as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. But in 1955, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968, and included a variety of mental health issues. It included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still called hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
In 1994, the fourth edition of the psychiatric book was released. 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. click hyperlink -5 considers these to be presentations rather than distinct types and states that they can change over time.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. It was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD by providing them with financial aid, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland guidelines on the condition. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge may help to develop better, more targeted treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the condition. They collect information about the person's past including their family, education, employment and social history. They may review old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also look at how the symptoms have changed with time.
click hyperlink and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria for determining ADHD in 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 doctor will usually talk to the person about their symptoms with an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They also employ various ratings scales to assess different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults while others will be based on other factors, including questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you have difficulty to organize your time or tasks?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine if there are any medical issues which could be responsible for making the symptoms worse for example, thyroid dysfunction or vision and 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.
Someone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult may be asked to fill out an assessment with their partner or another close friend. This can help uncover the personal insights that checklists and questionnaires are in no way able to provide. This can be particularly useful for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They also examine the history of the patient's family and their mental health.
They could request a copy of the student's reports or school records, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may request copies of any previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological, including IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. They may also conduct interviews with family members, friends and teachers as well as employers. It is essential to have thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD can experience serious problems that include financial problems (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will typically ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares behaviors of people with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important aspect of the assessment process.
It is crucial to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that might have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders and substance abuse, and medical conditions such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to establish a proper diagnosis and to be treated accordingly.
To be considered to have ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet several requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two settings like home, school, and work. The symptoms must substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must have appeared in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other concomitant conditions.