How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Getting a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking a test online or rating scale. The process involves an evaluation of both psychiatric and medical.
Doctors review medical and family history including past tests and old school records. They also interview parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often inherited.
Symptoms
If a person is having trouble staying focused, paying attention to details or starting and finishing tasks that require a lot focus, it may be ADHD. However, a lot of people suffer from other disorders that can trigger the same symptoms as ADHD which includes depression and anxiety. It is important to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough examination will determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or another disorder.
A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or a psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who is skilled in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask questions and discuss with the person about their symptoms, how long they've been exhibiting them regularly, how often they occur, and how severe they are. They will inquire about the person’s family and medical background along with their educational and work experience, and even their family.
It is crucial for a doctor about any issues that may arise that a person may be facing for example, financial problems or trouble in relationships. The doctor might also want to talk to the person's teacher or employer about any issues they've had concerning the performance of the individual in the classroom or at work. The doctor will also interview parents, and may also be required to interview other adults like teachers and coaches, nannies or coaches.
During the exam the provider will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct physical. The physical exam will check for conditions that can cause symptoms that look like ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues. They will also look over the individual's academic and work history as well as any other pertinent documents.
The practitioner will also conduct an examination of the personality or psychological. It could be a list of symptoms or a rating system that measures how an individual feels about certain behaviors. They can also conduct cognitive or learning disabilities tests to determine if someone has a disorder that mimics ADHD, such as a learning difficulty. They will also inquire about the lifestyle of the person, such as whether they are in a stressful situation or suffer from any other illness that could cause ADHD symptoms worse. They will also ask about the person's ability follow directions and interact with other people.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect adults and children across a range of aspects of their lives. The symptoms include trouble at work and in school, poor performance during extracurricular activities, and strained relationships. They also contribute to problems with driving and managing finances. Finding a health professional who is familiar with ADHD is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis. You can ask your child's physician to perform a screening or you can talk to a psychiatrist who is skilled in treating mental illness.
The first thing a specialist will do is question the person about his or her behavior. In general, the doctor will ask about the symptoms for at least six months. This will make sure that the symptoms have been consistent over time. The examiner will use an assessment scale that is designed to assess the symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
The doctor will also inquire about any current issues and look over the patient's medical history including any family history of ADHD. They will also review the person's driving and academic history, as well relationships and family issues. The examiner wants to know the person's habits and whether he or she is a drug or alcohol addict.
To diagnose ADHD A specialist must be able to prove that the symptoms cannot be explained by any other disorder. In general, the symptoms should be present in two or more environments and be present for at minimum six months. Additionally, the symptoms must be debilitating and not due to any other illness.
To confirm a diagnosis, the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is conducted by computer software and involves the observation of visual stimuli such as letters or shapes appearing on the screen. The person watches the stimuli and presses a button whenever he or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to determine the level of difficulty a person has with attention-related tasks.
Treatment
Someone who has symptoms of ADHD is typically assessed for the disorder by a mental health professional. This may include a physical examination as well as a review of medical and family histories and a mental assessment. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and how they affect the person's performance. It will also include standard ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests.
The clinician will also interview the patient as well as his significant other, if appropriate. The purpose of this is not to examine honesty, but to gain insight into the patient's experiences and behaviors. It is typical for those who suffer from ADHD to have difficulty remembering details from their childhood. It is beneficial to interview adults who have been with them for a long time. This can help the doctor identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
The evaluator will often interview the child's parents and teachers. This is especially crucial when a child is having problems at school. In addition, the evaluator will likely inquire about the child's life in the social world and how their school and home life are organized. This is important since the social setting is the primary source of stress and problems for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the physician will use a similar rating scale, but it is more sophisticated and used to gather research data about symptoms. In certain instances an examiner might use computerized testing in order to screen for ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most frequently used test. It was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is a different type of test using computers that assesses an individual's attention span.
For young adults and adolescents the evaluator may also look at whether or not the individual is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child or teenager is diagnosed with ADHD medications will likely be a part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and provide quick relief from the symptoms. These drugs must, however be taken with care. A high dose of stimulants can lead to addiction or heart problems. Drugs that are released into the body over time, like the atomoxetine and guanfacine are safer but don't work as quickly as stimulants do. These medications may also not be available to children with certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an essential component of the treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can assist people in learning better organizational skills and find strategies to improve their work and social interactions. For example, a therapist could teach the person to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to keep them on track. Therapists can also assist people with ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to manage stressful situations in their lives.
For adults who suffer from ADHD, a psychologist or psychiatrist can conduct tests that screen for anxiety, depression, learning disabilities and other disorders that could look like or coexist with ADHD, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists may also perform a physical examination and review the medical records of the patient, their family history and behavior.
Some therapists utilize computers to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test measures a person's ability to maintain focus and resist impulses by showing visual targets on a computer screen. online adhd test is designed to measure the person's cognitive function and can be utilized in conjunction with self-report questionnaires to provide the doctor with an objective measure of a patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how a person's body will metabolize medication. The test can be used to aid doctors in selecting the most effective medication and avoid adverse negative effects for every patient. However, this kind of test is expensive and isn't readily available. The most reliable way to determine ADHD is by an experienced medical professional.