ADHD Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be more difficult than diagnosing children. A good diagnosis starts with a thorough interview conducted by an expert in ADHD.
You must bring any medical or academic records to your appointment. It's also beneficial to bring rating scales and interview transcripts that can provide information about your symptoms.
Symptoms
A doctor will conduct a physical exam and interview you to determine whether ADHD is present. The examiner will ask questions about the person's life and childhood, and may employ checklists to document the person's symptoms. The evaluator will also go over school and work records and may also want to speak with teachers or other individuals who spend time with the person.
The evaluator will use the official lists of symptoms for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity to determine whether the person meets diagnostic criteria. The criteria include that the individual must have experienced multiple symptoms for at least six months, and that they occur in a variety of settings, like at school or at home. The evaluator may also check for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
In adults, the evaluator will assess how severe the symptoms are and how they affect social or work life. The evaluator will also ask how the individual feels about the symptoms and how they interfere with daily functioning.
Many people with ADHD have trouble remembering whether their issues began in childhood or later. For that reason, the specialist will usually interview someone who knows the person well, such as siblings or spouses for an adult; a parent or teacher for children. The evaluator might utilize checklists for adults and for children there is a list of behavior to watch for.
Contrary to previous diagnostic guidelines the adult can't be diagnosed with ADHD until symptoms begin to manifest prior to the age of 12. This change is designed to stop people suffering from ADHD who were diagnosed as children from being misdiagnosed as having other disorders, like anxiety and depression.
Medical History
If you suspect that your or your child suffers from ADHD The first step is to locate an expert who can provide a thorough assessment. Ask your personal physician or a local mental health care expert for recommendations, or search the phone book for "psychiatry" or "psychology." You can also join an adult ADHD support group, since many will have worked with local specialists who could provide referrals.
A healthcare professional will review a person's medical history and family history during the ADHD diagnostic evaluation. They will ask about the impact of the symptoms on functioning in different environments such as at work, at home, or in relationships. It is essential to determine how severe the symptoms are, as the APA's guidelines for diagnosing ADHD stipulate that the symptoms must result in significant impairment in order to be diagnosed.
The healthcare professional will usually interview the patient, however, they may also speak to the person's siblings, parents and friends who are familiar with him. Some professionals ask people to complete questionnaires or scales. These include ADHD checklists for symptoms and behavior ratings. Teachers and other caregivers can be helpful sources of information, too.
The APA's Diagnostic Guidelines stipulate that symptoms should be frequent and interfere with performance. This is important because other conditions like mood disorders and learning disabilities may present similar to ADHD (Austerman 2015). A medical examination can be done to determine if there are any other possible causes for the symptoms. These include thyroid problems and hearing or vision issues, or medication like stimulants and sedatives.
Family History
In some instances there is the family history of ADHD is a crucial aspect in obtaining an diagnosis. It is a hereditary condition, and a thorough review of the patient's and his or her family members histories can help determine whether there is a family pattern.
It is essential that doctors have a complete understanding of the symptoms of their patients, such as whether or not they happen in school, at work or in social settings. A doctor should also be able to determine the extent to which symptoms interfere with a person's daily functioning. This is a better measure than simply counting symptoms or examining the IQ of the patient.
A doctor can interview a child or teen, as well as his or her parents. In many instances, a pediatrician or psychiatrist is specialized in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD. For adults, a detailed interview is required by a mental health professional who has a wealth of experience in ADHD and is able to evaluate each patient's presentation.
A thorough evaluation typically includes a physical examination, which can rule out specific health conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. A complete medical record is also a must. This could include school and medical records, as in addition to a psychologist's or school counselor's psychological evaluation. For adults the old school records can be helpful in determining whether symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
In the case of diagnosing adults with psychiatric disorders, it is particularly important to look at how the symptoms affect everyday functioning. A thorough psychiatric examination could be required that includes rating scales and questionnaires by the patient and their caregivers, a clinical interview and referral for a medical exam. Additionally, psychometric or neuropsychological assessment can be used in adult cases in order to see how the symptoms are related to learning disorders and other cognitive impairments.
Interviews
A healthcare professional will ask you or your child about their concerns at home, school and in the community. The doctor will also inquire about your or your child's previous medical and personal history, as well as family and personal histories and will review any documents you bring along including old report cards from school. This information will help the provider decide whether you or your child should take a test for diagnosing ADHD.
Your provider will use rating scales to identify if you or your child meets criteria for ADHD, including six established symptoms in the two main categories of the disorder -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These ratings are typically taken over a six-month period, and cover both at home and school. The ratings should be provided by people who know your child and yourself well, such as teachers, coaches as well as religious leaders, scouts and parents.
To be diagnosed with ADHD children and adults must exhibit a symptomatic behavior that is debilitating and interferes with everyday functioning in multiple environments, including school, at work or playing. The symptoms should manifest in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. They cannot be caused by any other mental health disorder.
The sensitivity and accuracy of ADHD assessments can be enhanced through the use of psychometric and neuropsychological tests that test IQ and cognitive function. They should be used alongside a clinician's interview and rating scales as part of a comprehensive assessment plan. These assessments can include the administration a standardized test like the ADHD Diagnostic Interview for Adults or a computerized testing method that tests executive functions, short-term memory and speed of response. In the near future, technology that is digital, such as virtual reality and head movement sensors for continuous performance tests could help improve the ecological validity by allowing people to be immersed into their natural environment instead of sitting in a clinic office.
Tests
If your physician or mental health professional suspects ADHD the doctor may refer you to an ADHD specialist. A thorough assessment will consist of an extensive interview, data from other sources, such as your spouse or significant others, as well as standardized behavior ratings scales for ADHD. The evaluator will order tests according to the clinical impression and will screen for any conditions that might affect your symptoms. These could include depression or learning disabilities, or a medical condition.
In order to conduct an accurate ADHD assessment, the evaluator must determine whether your symptoms have a significant impact on your life and functioning. The impairment could occur in a variety of settings like at home at work, at school, or with your social relationships. The evaluator will inquire how your condition affected you in every situation. cost of adhd assessment uk will enable the evaluator to make an assessment, and then formulate treatment suggestions.
A comprehensive assessment will comprise, in addition to rating of symptoms and standardized performance tests for ADHD. These instruments for testing are based on research that compares the behavior of those with ADHD to those who do not. They improve upon the limitations of a clinical interview by focusing on specific behaviors instead of assessing a person's general performance. These tests can help evaluaters determine if a person is lying or trying to cheat on a test. This problem has been recognized in the field for years.
In addition to the standard test and the symptom-rating scales, a thorough ADHD assessment should include brain scans and other imaging procedures for neurological disorders. However these tests aren't commonly used in a clinical setting due to the cost and expose the patient to ionizing radiation.