ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a doctor who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your previous experiences and conduct physical examination. They'll also look for conditions that can mimic ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood habits as the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could mean finding your school records and getting in touch with former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up with school, work, or home, has trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to organize it could be that you suffer from ADHD. An evaluation by your health professional will help you determine whether this is the case, and, if it is the case, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two different environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms must also be affecting your ability to function, for example in class, forming close relationships or in working in a group. It is important to recognize that everyone struggles with paying attention and staying organized at times However, these issues are more severe for those with ADHD.
To determine an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also review your family history, and any previous medical or psychological tests that you may have taken. They will search for health issues, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want to know if your symptoms started in your childhood (technically, before age 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms affect you at the moment and in the past. They'll also want to know if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you've written them down. This will allow you to recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You can also bring documents, such as the performance evaluations you receive from work or old school report cards. Having these records can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only started just recently. They can also help your doctor determine if you have other issues like depression or anxiety that often exhibit the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. With advancements in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma around this disorder is fading.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations about children who were unfocused or unable to concentrate. He also noted that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environments. The report is often credited with the first formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, and listed a number of mental health conditions. It also included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was increased 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 considers these to be presentations rather than distinct types and says that they may change over time.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally recognized with support from healthcare, funding and guidance adults who had ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released guidelines on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations on the condition. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This knowledge could help in the future to develop more specific and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to establish the diagnosis. They will collect information about the person's past, including their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They will go through old school records and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about the symptoms, and how they affect life. They will also examine how the symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines 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 doctor will usually talk to the person about their symptoms using an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They may also employ different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a range of other criteria. how to diagnose adhd include questions like "Do you have difficulty sitting down?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your activities or work?"
They will conduct an examination for physical health. They will look for medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms or making them worse, like thyroid disorder, vision or hearing issues. They will also ask the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms.
Someone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete an assessment with their partner or close friend. This provides a deeper understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is particularly beneficial for those with co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression. These often co-occur along with ADHD and can make it difficult to discern the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
A health care professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also review the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They typically ask the person to bring in report cards and school records for review, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may also request copies of prior tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker usually conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. In addition, they could interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is important to have thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD are susceptible to serious issues, including financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failing in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compared the behavior of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD, but they are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also essential to evaluate the individual for other conditions that could be similar to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance abuse and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, so it is essential that a correct diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is given.
A person of any age 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 such as school, home, and work, and the symptoms must seriously affect their daily functioning. The symptoms must have appeared in childhood, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other concomitant conditions.