ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD need a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They will likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out conditions that could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior, as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed unless there is evidence of early signs. This includes finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at work, school or at home, is having difficulty remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to organize it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A visit to a health care provider can help you determine whether this is the case and If it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and be evident in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, as an example). They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in some ways, like doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It's crucial to understand that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The doctors will also look at your family history, and any previous medical or psychological tests that you may have taken. They will check for health issues, like thyroid disorders or seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask if you have ever had symptoms during your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your doctor will also want to know how your symptoms affect you at the moment and in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially if they're written down. This will allow you to recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture of how they impact you. You may also bring old records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations. Having these documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem throughout your whole life or only began recently. They can also help your doctor determine if you have other issues like anxiety or depression, which often have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a character flaw. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma surrounding this disorder is slowly disappearing.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations of children who were inattentive and unfocused. He also noted that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were not related the quality of education or home environments. Still's report has been considered to be the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. However, in 1955 the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which was the most popular treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA published its second edition, which listed a number of mental health conditions. The second edition of the manual listed a number of mental health conditions, such as ADHD symptoms.
In 1994, the fourth edition of the psychiatric book was published. This led to 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 views these as presentations, not distinct types and states that they can change throughout the course of a person's lifetime.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first occasion that the UK as an entire recognized adults with ADHD and provided them with financial aid, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Private organisations and charities have also produced guidance. In recent years there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes responsible for it. This knowledge may help to create better, more targeted treatments in the future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if they have an assessment and diagnose. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician), they will want to collect a range of details about the person's past that includes the family, educational, work and social history. click this will look over 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 symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria used to diagnose 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 patient about their symptoms by using the appropriate questionnaire to the particular situation. They will also use a variety of 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 while others will be based on other criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" Do you struggle to organize your work or activities?
They will perform an examination of the body. They will check to see whether there are any medical problems that could be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction or vision and hearing issues. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood the person will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a close family member. This provides a deeper understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires can't provide. This is especially beneficial for people who have multiple disorders like anxiety or depression. They often co-occur with ADHD which makes it difficult to discern the signs.
Psychological Evaluation
A health care 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 review the patient's mental health and family history.
They can request copies of the student's report cards or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They might also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological testing, including results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically the psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will conduct the interview part of an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd . They may also interview friends, family members, teachers, or employers. It is crucial to have a an extensive assessment since people with ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compared the behavior of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores are not a diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important part in the assessment process.
It is also important to evaluate the individual for other conditions that could have similar symptoms to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders and medical conditions, like head injuries or thyroid disease. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is crucial to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and the right treatment is offered.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must show symptoms in more than one setting, like home, school and at work, and the symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. The symptoms must have appeared in childhood, and a psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by a mental illness or co-occurring conditions.