ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD require a thorough assessment by a specialist who is well-versed in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your past and perform a physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. This could mean finding your school records and getting in touch with former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one is struggling to keep up at school, work or at home, and has trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or is unable to organize or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. A health care professional's assessment can help you determine if this is true and, if it is what the treatment options are.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, as an instance). They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in class, developing close relationships, or functioning on teams. It's important to realize that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe in the case of ADHD.
In order to make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctors will also examine your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will look for health issues such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've had symptoms in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you now and how they have affected you 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, particularly if they're written down. This will help you recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. You can also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or began just recently. They can also help your doctor rule out other problems, such as anxiety or depression that often exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or a sign of laziness. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma associated with 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 unfocused and unfocused. He also observed that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and that they were not related to the quality of education or home environments. Still's report has been credited as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, and listed several mental health conditions. The second edition of the manual included a variety of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
With the release of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was a greater acceptance and understanding 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 defines these as presentations, not distinct types, and says that they may change over a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time the UK as a whole acknowledged with healthcare support and guidance for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been produced by private companies and charities. In recent times, there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD, and researchers have begun to find the genes that cause it. This information can help create better and more specific treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to identify the problem. Whether they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or a doctor educated in the field of child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will want to gather details about the patient's life including the family, educational, work and social history. They may review old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions about the symptoms, and how they affect daily life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed with time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in children and adults. 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 using the appropriate questionnaire to the specific situation. They will also use different scales of assessment 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 different criteria, such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" Do you struggle with organizing your time or activities?
They will conduct an examination for physical health. They will look to determine whether there are any medical problems that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing problems. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
Anyone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult may be asked to complete an assessment with their partner or another close friend. This will help to gain personal insight that questionnaires and checklists not able to provide. This is especially useful for those suffering from co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression. These are often associated with ADHD, making it difficult to discern the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
If a health care professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions regarding how their symptoms affect their daily lives. They also look over the patient's mental health and family history.
getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records for review, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They may request copies of any previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological which include IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview portion of an evaluation of the severity of adhd. They may also conduct interviews with friends, family members, teachers, or employers. It is essential to have a comprehensive evaluation because people who suffer from untreated ADHD are susceptible to serious issues that include financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor might ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of individuals with ADHD to those of individuals who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also essential to evaluate the individual for any other medical conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to certain treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to make a correct diagnosis and to get the appropriate treatment.
A child or adult must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must show symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home or at work, and their symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. Generally, the symptoms must have started in childhood, and a psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.