ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a specialist who is trained in the disorder. They'll likely ask about your history and perform a physical exam. They'll also rule out conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders, or thyroid problems.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior, as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. adhd diagnosis in adult could include finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
You could be suffering from ADHD in the event that you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at school, work, or at home. If they are unable to remember important dates or appointments, or aren't able to keep track of important dates or appointments, then you might be suffering from ADHD. Getting an evaluation by an expert in health care can help you find out if this is the case, and If it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in certain ways, such as doing well in classes, forming close relationships, or functioning in teams. 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 make a diagnosis, your provider will conduct an interview and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The providers will also examine your family history, as well as any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will be looking for health issues, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders, which could cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask if you have ever had symptoms during your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your doctor will also want to know how your symptoms affect you at the moment and in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It is helpful to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you've written them down. This will help you remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. You can also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine whether ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider rule other problems out like depression and anxiety that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or a sign of laziness. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatments, more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma associated with this disorder is slowly disappearing.
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 observed that these symptoms 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 the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs which were the main treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968. It listed a number of mental health conditions. It included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was a greater 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 defines these as different types of presentations and states that they can change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with funding, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued a guideline on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Private and non-profit organizations have also developed guidelines. In recent years there has been a rise in interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This knowledge will help in the future to develop more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the severity of the condition. They collect data about the person's past, including their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They may review the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed with time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines 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. A questionnaire tailored to the particular situation will be utilized by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different ratings scales to assess different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a number of other criteria and include questions like "Do you often have trouble sitting still?" Do you struggle to organize your time or activities?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will determine if there are any medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms for example, thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood, they will be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a trusted friend. This will help to gain the personal insights that checklists and questionnaires are unable to provide. This can be particularly useful for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask a series of questions about how the symptoms affect their lives. They also look into the history of the patient's family and mental health.
They usually request that the person bring in report cards and school records for review, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They may also request copies of previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological which include IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. In addition, they might interview family members, friends and teachers, as well. It is essential to have thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD may have serious issues such as financial problems (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failure in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also crucial to examine the patient for other ailments that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is crucial that a proper diagnosis is made and that the appropriate treatment is provided.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet a number of criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in two or more environments, like home, school and work, and the symptoms must seriously affect their daily functioning. Generally speaking, the symptoms should begin in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder is not caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.