ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD need a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your history and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out conditions that could be a cause of ADHD, such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid problems.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior since the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed absent evidence of symptoms from childhood. This includes finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
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 can't seem to organize, you may have ADHD. A health care professional's assessment will help you determine if this is the case, and, if so, what treatment options there are.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two different environments (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months in order to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnoses. They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in school, developing close bonds, or working as a member of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe in the case of ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also look at your family history, as well as any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will check for health problems, like thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire if you have ever had symptoms in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your provider will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you right now and in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially when they are 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 other records such as performance evaluations from work or old report cards from school. getting diagnosed with adhd can help your provider determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only began just recently. They can also assist your doctor to rule out other problems such as anxiety or depression that often exhibit the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a character flaw. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is diminishing.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations of children who were irritable and incapable of focusing. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent in boys than girls, and were not correlated with the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited with being the beginning of official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric manual, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. But in 1955 the US FDA approved a stimulant drug that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition which included a list of mental health issues. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994 the fourth edition of the psychiatric book was released. 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 considers these as presenting symptoms, not distinct types and states that they could change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD, providing them with financial aid, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidelines on ADHD among children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations on the condition. Other guidance has been produced by private organisations and charities. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to find the genes responsible for it. This knowledge could help in the near future in developing more specific and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to determine if they have a diagnosis. They will collect information from the past of the patient, including their family, educational, employment and social history. They may review the old school records, or speak with 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 symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, defines the criteria for diagnosing 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. The specialist will typically interview the person regarding their symptoms with a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific circumstance. They also employ various rating scales to look at different aspects 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 other criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will check to see if there are any medical issues which could be responsible for making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing problems. They will also ask the person about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms.
A person who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to fill out the questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This is especially beneficial for those with comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression. They often co-occur with ADHD and can make it difficult to discern the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
A health care professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also look over the patient's mental health and family history.
They may ask for copies of the student's reports or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They may also request copies of previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological such as IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. In addition, they could interview family members, friends and teachers, as well. It is essential to obtain a comprehensive assessment because people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure to attend colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares behaviors of people suffering from ADHD and those without the disorder. These scores are not an official diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important part in the evaluation process.
It is crucial to examine the person to determine if they have other conditions that may have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse and medical conditions like thyroid disease or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, so it is crucial that a correct diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet several requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two different settings that include home, school, and work. The symptoms must also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must have manifested in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder was not caused by a mental illness or co-occurring conditions.