ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD need a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They will likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct a physical examination. They will also rule out conditions which may be similar to ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid issues.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior since the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
You may have ADHD if you or someone you know is having trouble keeping up at work, school or home. If they're unable to remember important dates or appointments or cannot keep their schedules in order it is possible that they are suffering from ADHD. A visit to your health professional can help you determine if this is the case and in the event that it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be evident in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, as an example). They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in certain ways, such as doing well in school, developing close bonds, or working as a member of a team. It is important to recognize that everyone struggles with paying attention and staying well-organized at times however, these issues are more severe for those with ADHD.
In order to make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctors will also examine your family history, and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will also look for health issues, such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorder, which can cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've 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 looking to find out whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly when they are written down. This will aid in remembering the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate description of how your symptoms impact you. You may also bring other records such as the performance evaluations you receive from work or old report cards from school. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your doctor to rule out other conditions including anxiety and depression that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or laziness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatments, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding 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 of children who were inattentive and incapable of focusing. He also observed that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls, and that they were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report has been credited as the first the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which was the most popular treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968. It listed several mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's manual included a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was a greater awareness 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 defines these as manifestations rather than distinct types 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 time that the UK as a whole recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with financial aid, 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 on 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 cause of ADHD. Researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible. This information could be helpful in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the severity of the condition. They collect data from the past of the patient as well as their family, educational and employment history, as well as their social history. They will go through old school records and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they affect life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, defines the criteria for determining ADHD in both 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 used by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on different criteria, such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look for medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such a thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision problems. They will also inquire with the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may contribute to symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood, they will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a close family member. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from multiple disorders like depression or anxiety. These often co-occur along with ADHD which makes it difficult to discern the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask a series of questions regarding how the symptoms impact their daily lives. They also look into the history of the patient's family and mental health.
They may ask for a copy of the student's report cards or school records, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of prior psychological or neuropsychological tests such as IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. In addition, they might interview relatives, friends, teachers or employers as well. It is crucial to have a a comprehensive assessment because people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. This includes financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will usually ask the patient to complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of individuals with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. diagnosing adhd do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important element of the assessment process.
It is crucial to examine the person to determine if they have other conditions that could have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is essential to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home and work, and the symptoms must be affecting their life functioning. Generally, the symptoms must begin in childhood, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.