ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct a physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions which could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid disorders.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behaviors, as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed without evidence of early signs. This includes getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up at school, work or at home, and has trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or is unable to stay organized, you may have ADHD. An evaluation by an expert in health care will help you determine if this is the case, and, if it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis The symptoms have to be present for at least 6 months and be apparent in at least two different settings (school and at home, as an example). They should also significantly interfere in your ability to function in some ways, such as performing well in school, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It's important to realize that everyone struggles to stay organized and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe in the case of ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. Providers will also review your family history as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you've been through. They will check for health issues like thyroid disorders or seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've had symptoms during your childhood (technically before age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms impact 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, especially if they're written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician a an accurate picture of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring in old records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or if it started just recently. They can also assist your doctor to determine if you have other issues such as anxiety or depression, which often have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in the character of a person. With advances in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed and the stigma associated with the disorder is slowly fading.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were unable to pay attention or unable to concentrate. He also noted that these signs were more common for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environment. Still' diagnosis for adhd has been considered to be the first step towards official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychiatric guide, published in 1952, didn't include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that became the preferred treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, which listed a number of mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health conditions, such as ADHD symptoms.
The release of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was an increase in 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 views these as presenting symptoms, not distinct types, and says that they could change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time the UK as a whole formally recognized with support from healthcare, funding and guidance adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released guidance on ADHD among 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 rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible for it. This information could be helpful in the near future in developing more specific and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to make an assessment and diagnose. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or an individual doctor who is trained in child and young health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather information about the person's history that includes family, educational, work and social history. They will look over the school records from the past and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they affect life. They will also look at how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in both 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 using a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific situation. They may also employ different scales of assessment that look at different aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on other factors, including questions such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" and "Do you struggle to organize your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look for medical conditions that could be creating the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such as thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision problems. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if these may be contributing to symptoms.
A person who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete a questionnaire with their partner or close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This can be particularly useful for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
If a health care professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask a series of questions on how the symptoms impact their daily lives. They also go over a patient's mental health and family history.
They can request a copy of the student's report card or school records, especially those from kindergarten through high school. They may also ask for copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker typically conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic assessment. In addition, they might interview relatives, friends, teachers or employers as well. It is essential to obtain an extensive assessment since people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated may face serious issues. These could include financial problems (impulsive purchases) and marital problems or failure in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behavior of people with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important part of the assessment process.
It is also essential to evaluate the individual for other conditions that could be similar to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance abuse and medical conditions, like head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is important that a proper diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is provided.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments, such as school, home, or work. The symptoms should also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must have manifested in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must verify that the disorder wasn't caused by mental illness or other co-occurring conditions.