ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD require a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely ask questions about your history and perform a physical exam. They will also look for conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior, because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines state that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include finding your school records and contact with your former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one struggles to keep up at work, school or at home, is having trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or is unable to organize or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by a health care provider can help you determine if this is the case and If it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working as part of a team. It's important to understand that everyone struggles with keeping track of their time and staying well-organized at times However, these issues are more serious for those with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you may have had. They will look for health problems, like thyroid disorders or seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've had symptoms in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you today and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly when they are written down. This will help you recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You can also bring records like performance evaluations from work or old school report cards. Having these records can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem throughout your whole life or only began recently. These documents can help your doctor determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
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In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or lazyness. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma associated with the disorder is fading away.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations of children who were unfocused and incapable of focusing. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were the main treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968, and listed several mental health conditions. It also included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still classified as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
In 1994 the fourth edition of 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 recognizes these as manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they can change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. It was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with healthcare, funding, assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released advice on ADHD among children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been produced by private organisations and charities. In recent times there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause it. This knowledge may help to create better, more targeted treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to determine the severity of the condition. They collect data about the person's past, including their family, education, employment and social history. They might look over the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria 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. A questionnaire tailored to the situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They also employ various rating scales to look at various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults, while others will be based on different criteria, such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" Do you struggle with organizing your work or activities?
They will perform an examination for physical health. They will check for any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to become worse, like thyroid problem, hearing or vision issues. They will also inquire with the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if they could contribute to symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires can't provide. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
If a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask them a series of questions regarding how their symptoms affect their lives. They also look into the family history of the patient and their mental health.
They can request copies of the student's reports or school records, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They might also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests, including the results of IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will conduct the interview portion in an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. In addition, they could interview relatives, friends, teachers or employers as well. It is essential to obtain an accurate assessment as people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. These could include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will typically ask the patient to complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behavior of people with ADHD to those of individuals without the disorder. These ratings are not an official diagnosis of ADHD, but they are an important aspect of the process of evaluating.
It is also essential to check the person for other ailments that may be similar to ADHD, such as sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use and medical illnesses, such as thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to establish a proper diagnosis and to receive the right treatment.
A child or adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must display symptomatic behavior in at least two settings like home, school, and work. The symptoms should also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Typically, the symptoms must have started in childhood, and a psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.