How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as simple as taking a test online or using an evaluation scale. The process involves an evaluation of psychological and medical aspects.
Doctors look over family and medical history including past tests as well as old school records. They also interview parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often caused by genetic.
Signs and symptoms
If someone has trouble staying focused and paying attention to the details or even completing tasks that require a lot of focus this could be ADHD. Many suffer from other disorders, such as anxiety or depression, that can produce the same symptoms. It is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough examination can help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist that has experience with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD is able to conduct an evaluation. They will ask the person questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also talk about how severe they are and how long it has been since they started, and how often they occur. They will inquire about the individual's medical history and family background as well as their school and work experience, as well as their family.
It is crucial for a doctor to know about any problems that a person may be facing for example, financial problems or trouble in relationships. The doctor may also want to speak to the person's teacher or employer regarding any issues they've experienced regarding the performance of the person at the classroom or at work. For children doctors, they will interview the parents and may need to interview other adults such as teachers, coaches, or nannies.
During the examination, the doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history, and perform physical. The physical exam can be used to check for conditions such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorder which may be a symptom of ADHD. They will also look over the individual's education and work history as well as any other pertinent documents.
The provider will also conduct a psychological or behavioral test. It could be a list of symptoms, or a rating system that determines the feelings of an individual about certain actions. They may also use cognitive and learning disabilities tests to determine if a person suffers from a learning impairment or other conditions that mimic ADHD. They will also inquire about the lifestyle of the person, such as whether they are in a stressful situation or suffer from any other illness which could cause ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their capacity to collaborate with others and follow the instructions.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children across a range of aspects of their lives. These symptoms include difficulties at work and school, poor performance during activities outside of school, and tension in relationships. They also contribute to problems with driving and managing finances. The first step to getting an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. Your child's doctor may perform the test, or you may want to find a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
I Am Psychiatry will first talk to the patient about their behavior. In general doctors will ask about the symptoms for a minimum of six months. This ensures that the symptoms are consistent and they've remained constant for a long time. The examiner will use a rating scale 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).
In addition to asking about problems that are currently affecting the patient, the doctor will usually review the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health problems. The specialist will also look at the person's driving and academic history as well as family and relationship problems. The examiner will also want to know about the person's lifestyle including whether they have problems with alcohol or drugs.
To diagnose ADHD A specialist must be convinced that the symptoms are not related to any other disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in two or more situations and persist for at minimum six months. The symptoms must also be debilitating and are not triggered by any other illness.
To confirm a diagnosis the doctor can administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed by a computer and involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, such as letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The person watches the stimuli, and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to indicate the difficulty of an individual to complete attention-related tasks.
Treatment
A person with symptoms of ADHD is typically assessed for the disorder by an expert in mental health. This will involve an extensive physical exam, a review of medical and family background, and a psychiatric examination. The test will consist of questions regarding symptoms and their impact on a person's functioning in addition to standardized ADHD behavior rating scales as well as other psychological tests.
The doctor can also talk to the patient's spouse If appropriate. This is not to test honesty, but rather to gain insight into the patient's experiences and behaviors. Many people suffering from ADHD have a difficult time recalling the details of their childhood and it may be beneficial to interview others who have been around the patient for a long period of time. This will aid the doctor in determining other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
For children, the evaluator will often interview the parents and teachers of the child. This is especially important when the child is experiencing problems at school. The examiner may also inquire about the child's life in the social world, and how the school and home environments are organized. This is important because the social setting is the primary source of stress and difficulties for those with ADHD.
The physician will utilize the same scale of rating for adult patients. However it is more sophisticated. It is used to collect research data on symptoms. In some cases the examiner could employ computerized testing to test for symptoms of ADHD. 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 is the continuous performance test (CPT) is a measure of the ability of an individual to hold attention for a set amount of time.
For young adults and adolescents the evaluator may also determine if 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 medications will likely be part of the treatment plan. These stimulants are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer quick relief from symptoms. These medications must, however be used with caution. A high dose of stimulants can cause addiction or heart problems. Drugs that are released into the body in time, such as the atomoxetine and guanfacine are less risky, but they don't work as quickly as stimulants do. These drugs may not be available to children with certain medical conditions like Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is an essential element of the treatment plan for adults who have ADHD. Therapists can assist people to organize themselves better and develop strategies for improving their work and relationships. A therapist could teach the patient how to utilize reminders such as alarms or daily planners in order to keep track of their goals. Therapists can help adults with ADHD manage their emotions and discover ways to cope better with stressors.
For adults with ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist may conduct tests that test for anxiety, depression, learning disabilities and other disorders that may look like or coexist with ADHD such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can also conduct physical examinations and review the patient's medical records, family history and behavior.
Some therapists use computer tests to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability to maintain attention and resist impulsive urges by presenting the person by displaying visual targets on a screen. The test assesses the cognitive capacity of a person and can be used in conjunction with self-report questions to provide the doctor an objective measurement of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how a person's body will process medication. The test can assist doctors in choosing the right drug and avoid side consequences for each patient. This type of testing can be expensive and is not widely available. The most reliable method to diagnose ADHD is through an expert medical professional.