How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
The process of confirming an ADHD diagnosis isn't as easy as taking an online test or rating scale. The process requires an evaluation of both psychiatric and medical.
Doctors look over family and medical history including past tests as well as old school records. Teachers, parents and children are interviewed about the symptoms. ADHD symptoms often run within families.
Symptoms
When a person has problems staying focused, paying attention to details or completing tasks that require a lot of attention it could be ADHD. Many people have other illnesses, such as depression or anxiety, which can cause the same symptoms. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis. A thorough examination will help determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or other disorders.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who is experienced with ADHD in adults or has experience in adult ADHD is able to conduct an evaluation. They will ask questions and speak to the person about their symptoms and how long they've been exhibiting them, how often they occur, and how severe they are. They will inquire about the person’s medical and family history as well as their school and work experiences, and even the family.
It's important for a doctor about any issues that may arise in the life of a person, such as financial difficulties or issues with relationships. The doctor may also want to talk with the person's teacher or employer regarding any issues they've experienced concerning the performance of the individual in school or at work. The doctor will talk to parents, and may be required to interview other adults such as teachers, coaches, nannies, or coaches.
During the exam, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and then perform a physical. The physical can check for any conditions that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD, such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also review any relevant records, like the person's job and education history.
The provider will also perform an examination of the personality or psychological. It could be a list of symptoms or a rating system that measures the feelings of an individual about certain actions. They can also conduct tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to determine if the person has a learning disability or any other disorder that could mimic ADHD. They will also ask about the person's life for example, whether they are in a stressful environment or suffer from any other illness which could make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their capacity to work with others and follow instructions.
Diagnosis
The signs of ADHD can affect many areas of life for children and adults. The symptoms include trouble at school and at work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. These problems can also affect driving and finances. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. The doctor of your child can conduct an assessment, or you may want to seek out an expert psychiatrist who is specialized in mental disorders.
The doctor will then interview the patient regarding their behavior. In adult adhd testing will look for symptoms that have been present for at least a month. This will make sure that the symptoms are consistent over time. The examiner will employ an assessment scale that is designed to assess the symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
The specialist will also ask about any current problems and review the patient's medical background, including any family history of ADHD. He or she may also examine the person's driving and academic records along with family and relationship issues. The examiner will want to know the lifestyle of the person and if they are a drug or alcohol user.
To diagnose ADHD, a specialist must be convinced that the symptoms are not related to any other disorder. The symptoms should be present at least twice, and for at least six months. Moreover, the symptoms must be debilitating and not related to any other illness.
The specialist may administer one of the tests for attention, such as the TOVA Continuous Performance Test to confirm the diagnosis. The TOVA test is administered using a computer and involves observing visual stimuli, such as letters or shapes appearing on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to determine the difficulty of people to focus on tasks.
Treatment
A mental health professional will evaluate the symptoms of ADHD. This may include a physical exam as well as a review of family and medical histories, and a mental examination. The examination will include questions regarding symptoms and their impact on a person's functioning, the standardized ADHD behavior rating scales and other psychological tests.
The doctor may also speak with the patient's significant other, if applicable. The purpose of this is not to assess honesty, but to learn more about the patient's experiences and behaviors. It is typical for those with ADHD to have difficulty recalling details about their childhood. It can be beneficial to interview people who have known them for a long period of time. This will help the clinician rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
For more helpful hints who are evaluators, they will typically interview the children's teachers and parents. This is particularly crucial when the child is experiencing difficulties at school. The evaluator can also inquire about the child’s social life, and how the school and home environment are structured. This is vital, as the social environment can be the primary source of stress for people with ADHD.
In adult patients, the physician will use a similar rating scale, however it is more sophisticated and used to gather research data about symptoms. In certain instances the examiner will employ computerized testing to detect ADHD symptoms. The most commonly used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of computer test, the continuous performance test (CPT), is a measure of the ability of an individual to hold focus for a certain amount of time.
For adolescents and young adults the evaluator may also look at whether or not the individual meets the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child or teen is diagnosed with ADHD, medication will probably be a part of the treatment plan. The stimulant drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and provide quick relief from the symptoms. However, these drugs should be administered with care. A high dose of stimulants can lead to addiction or heart problems. Medications that release into the body over time, like Guanfacine or atomoxetine, are safer but don't work as fast as stimulants do. These drugs may not be the best option for children with some medical conditions, such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is a crucial element of the treatment plan for adults who have ADHD. Therapists can help people learn more efficient organizational skills and come up with strategies to improve their work and social interactions. For instance, a therapist may instruct the client to use reminders like alarms or daily planners to keep them on track. Therapists can also assist people with ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and find ways to cope with stressors in their lives.
For adults who suffer from ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist can conduct tests that test for anxiety, depression learning disabilities, depression and other disorders that can look like or coexist with ADHD such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychologists can also conduct a physical examination and look over the person's family history, medical records and their behavior.
Some therapists use computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test measures the ability to maintain attention and resist impulsive urges by presenting the individual by displaying visual targets on a screen. The test evaluates the cognitive abilities of a person. It can be used with self-report questions to provide a clinician an objective measure of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is now available which can reveal the way in which a person's body process medications. The test can assist doctors in selecting the most appropriate drug for each individual and help avoid adverse unwanted side effects. This type of testing can be expensive and is not widely available. A medical professional is the most reliable way to diagnose ADHD in an individual.