How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Getting a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking an online test or rating scale. The process requires an evaluation of both psychiatric and medical.
Doctors look over family and medical histories including school records from the past as well as past tests. Parents, teachers, and kids are also interviewed about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms often run in families.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD can be diagnosed when a person has difficulty to stay on task and pay attention to the details, or start and finish tasks that require concentration. Many people have other illnesses like anxiety or depression, that may cause similar symptoms. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis. A thorough examination will help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or another disorder.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is experienced with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask the person questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also discuss how severe they are, how long it has been since they first started and how often they happen. They will inquire about the person's medical and family background along with their educational and work experiences, and even the family.
It is essential that a doctor be aware of any issues a patient might be experiencing, such as financial troubles or relationship issues. The doctor may also want to speak to the person's teacher or employer about any issues they've encountered with the person's performance in the classroom or at work. The doctor will also interview parents, and may have to interview other adults, such as teachers and coaches, nannies or coaches.
During the examination, the doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history, and perform a physical. The physical exam can be used to check for conditions like seizures or thyroid disorders that may resemble symptoms of ADHD. They will also look over the individual's academic and work history and any other pertinent records.
The provider will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. This could be a checklist of symptoms or an assessment scale that measures how the person feels about specific behavior. They may also take tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to determine if a person suffers from a learning impairment or other disorders that can mimic ADHD. They will also inquire about the person's lifestyle for example, whether they are in a stressful situation or suffer from any other health issues that can make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person's ability to follow instructions and work with other people.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of ADHD interfere with many areas of life for both children and adults. The symptoms include trouble at work and school and in extracurricular activities, and strained relationships. These issues can also impact the driving experience and financial situation. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to find a health care professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD. Your child's doctor may perform an assessment or you could decide to seek out a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
The doctor will then interview the patient about their behavior. Generally the doctor will inquire about the symptoms for at least six months. This will make sure that the symptoms are constant over time. The examiner will use an assessment scale to evaluate symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5.
The specialist will also inquire about any current difficulties and review the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. He or she will also review the individual's academic and driving records as well as relationship and family problems. The examiner will also want know about the lifestyle of the individual, including whether they suffer from any issues with alcohol or drugs.
To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the specialist must be convinced that the symptoms are not better explained by another disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in multiple settings and have been ongoing for at least six months. Additionally, the symptoms must be severe and not be due to any other disease.
To confirm the diagnosis, the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is administered by computer and involves watching visual stimuli such as letters or shapes appearing on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to determine the degree of difficulty that a person has with attention-related tasks.
Treatment
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is typically evaluated for the disorder by a mental health professional. This will include a physical examination along with a review of medical and family histories and a mental evaluation. The examination will include questions about symptoms and their impact on the individual's functioning in addition to standardized ADHD behavior rating scales, and other psychological testing.
The doctor can also talk to the patient's significant other If appropriate. This is not to test honesty, but rather to get a better understanding of the patient's experiences and behaviors. Many people suffering from ADHD have a difficult time recalling the details of their childhood and it can be helpful to interview others who have been around the person for a long time. This information will help the clinician rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
For children who are evaluators, they will typically interview the child's teachers and parents. This is especially important when a child is having problems at school. Additionally, the examiner will likely inquire about the child's life in the social world and how his or her school and home environments are structured. This is crucial because the social setting is the primary source of stress and problems for people with ADHD.
The doctor will employ the same scale of rating for adult patients. However, it is more sophisticated. It is used to gather research data about symptoms. In some instances, the examiner may also use computerized testing to screen for signs of ADHD. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS, is the most commonly used test. It was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of computer test called the continuous performance test (CPT) is a test of an individual's ability to sustain concentration for a specified amount of time.
For adhd testing in adults and young adults The evaluator will look at whether or not the individual meets the diagnostic criteria set forth in 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 is diagnosed with ADHD medications are likely to be part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into bloodstreams and offer immediate relief from the symptoms. However, these medications should be administered with care. Too much stimulant can lead to heart issues or addiction. The medications that release slowly into the body like atomoxetine and Guanfacine, are less harmful, but they don't work as fast as stimulants. These medications also may not be a viable option for children suffering from some medical conditions, such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an additional component of a treatment plan designed for adults with ADHD. Therapists can assist people to improve their organization and devise strategies to improve their relationships and work. For instance, a therapist may teach the person to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on the right track. Therapists can also help adults suffering from ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and find ways to cope with stressors in their lives.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can conduct tests for adults suffering from ADHD that test for depression and anxiety, learning disabilities, and other disorders that could look like ADHD or coexist alongside it, like seizures or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can also conduct a physical exam and look over the person's medical history, family history and behaviour.
Some therapists use computer tests to people test for ADHD symptoms. The test measures a person's ability to maintain focus and resist impulses by presenting visual targets on the screen of a computer. The test is designed to assess the cognitive performance of a person and can be utilized in conjunction with self-report questionnaires in order to give the clinician an objective assessment of a patient's reaction to therapy.
A newer genetic test is available that can tell you how a person's body will metabolize medications. The test can help doctors select the most appropriate drug for each person and avoid adverse negative side negative effects. However, this kind of testing is expensive and is not readily available. A medical professional is the most reliable way to identify ADHD in the individual.