ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough examination by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and conduct a physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic 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 cannot be diagnosed absent evidence of early signs. This means getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
You could have ADHD if you or someone you love has trouble keeping track of time at school, work or at home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to keep track of important dates or appointments it is possible that they are suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by your health professional can help you find out whether this is the case, and in the event that it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms must also be hindering your ability to function for example, in class, in creating close relationships, or working as part of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has trouble staying focused and organized at times, but these issues 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. Your doctor will also go over your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you may have had. They will look for health issues, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want be aware of whether your symptoms began in your early years (technically prior to age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you now and how they have affected you in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you've written them down. This will aid in remembering them and give your physician a a complete picture of how your symptoms affect you. You can also bring records such as the performance evaluations you receive from work or old report cards from school. Having these documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your whole life or only started in recent times. These documents can help your doctor determine if there are other issues including anxiety and depression that have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a character flaw. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma surrounding this disorder is dissolving.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations about children who were unable to pay attention or who were unable to focus. He also pointed out that these signs were more prevalent in boys than in girls, and were not correlated with intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. But in 1955 the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which became the preferred 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.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was increased 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 recognizes 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), published guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first occasion that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with funding, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Other guidance has been developed by charities and private organizations. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This knowledge could help in the future to develop more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the severity of the condition. They will collect information from the past of the patient including their family, education and employment history, as well as their social history. They will review 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 daily life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria for determining 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 specific questionnaire adapted to the situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria and include questions like "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" and "Do you find it hard to manage your activities or work?"
They will perform an examination of the body. They will determine if there are any medical conditions that could be creating the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such as thyroid problem, hearing or vision problems. They will also ask the person about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if these could be contributing to the symptoms.
Someone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will help to gain the personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are in no way able to provide. This is particularly beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also take a look at a patient's family history and mental health.
adhd diagnoses request that the person bring in report cards and school records to review, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They can also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological testing, such as results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker usually will conduct the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. In addition, they could interview relatives, friends and teachers, as well. It is important to have an extensive evaluation as people who suffer from untreated ADHD may have serious issues such as financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will usually request that the patient complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behavior of people with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important element of the evaluation process.
It is also crucial to examine the patient for other ailments that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use disorders and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is crucial that a correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is provided.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must display symptomatic behavior in at least two environments, such as school, home, and work. The symptoms must also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must first be noticed in childhood, and a psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder wasn't caused by mental illness or other concomitant conditions.