ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a specialist in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your history and conduct a physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior, because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines state that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. This includes finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
You may have ADHD in the event that you or someone you love has trouble keeping track of time at work, school or home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized and on track, then they could be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is the case and if so what your treatment options are.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms must be present for at least six months and be noticeable in at least two different settings (school and at home, for example). Suggested Reading should also be affecting your ability to function, for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working in a team. It's crucial to understand that everyone struggles to stay focused and organized at times, but these problems are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
In order to make a diagnosis, your physician will conduct an interview 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 past medical or psychological tests you may have been through. They will look for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, which can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you if you have ever had symptoms in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your doctor will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you right now and in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's helpful to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will help you remember them and give your provider an accurate picture of how your symptoms affect you. You can also bring records like performance evaluations from work or old report cards from school. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or if it was diagnosed recently. These records can help your doctor rule other problems out including anxiety and depression that have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or laziness. With advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma around this disorder is diminishing.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive and unable to focus. He also observed that these signs were more prevalent for boys than girls and were unrelated to intelligence or home environment. The report is often credited with the first the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved a stimulant drug that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, and listed several mental health conditions. It included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still classified as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was increased acceptance and understanding 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 different types of presentations and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. It was the first occasion that the UK as an entire officially recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with financial aid, 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. Private organisations and charities have also issued guidance. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to find the genes responsible. This knowledge could help in the near future in developing more specific and effective treatments.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to make an assessment and diagnose. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor who is also trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather details about the person's past, including the family, educational, work and social histories. They will review the school records from the past and interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines for diagnosing 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 customized questionnaire to the specific situation will be used by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different rating scales to look at various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults, while others will be based on other factors, including questions such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" and "Do you struggle to organize your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will check to see if there are any medical problems which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms for example, thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with 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 may be asked to fill out a questionnaire with their partner or another close friend. This will help to gain personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are in no way able to provide. This can be particularly useful for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to recognize.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions on how their symptoms affect their lives. They also look into a patient's family history and their mental health.
They often ask the person to bring in report cards and school records for review, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They can request copies of any previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological, including IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker usually conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends and teachers, as well. It is essential to obtain a comprehensive assessment because people with ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. These could include financial problems (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behavior of individuals with ADHD with those of those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important aspect of the assessment process.
It is important to also evaluate the individual to determine if there are other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders and substance abuse, as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis and to be treated accordingly.
A child or 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 different settings that include home, school, and work. The symptoms must also severely hinder the normal functioning of their lives. Generally speaking, the symptoms should begin in the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder isn't caused by a mental illness or comorbidity.