ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough examination by a specialist who is trained in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your past and perform a physical examination. They will also rule out conditions which may be similar to ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behavior because current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include getting your school records as well as contact with your former teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Symptoms
You could have ADHD in the event that you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at work, school or at home. If they're unable to remember important dates or appointments or cannot keep their schedules in order, then you might 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.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in some ways, such as doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying on track and paying attention at times, but these issues are more severe in the case of ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior and how it has impacted your life. Providers will also review your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will be looking for health issues like thyroid issues and seizure disorders that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you whether you've ever experienced symptoms in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms are affecting you right now and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It is helpful to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, particularly when you've written them down. This will help you to keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You can also bring documents, such as performance evaluations from work or old school report cards. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or began recently. These records can help your doctor rule other problems out including depression and anxiety that share similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. With advances in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is diminishing.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were irritable 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. The report is often credited with the start of official 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 stimulant drugs which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition, which included a list of mental health disorders. The second edition of the APA's manual included a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
The release of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was increased understanding 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 considers these to be manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they are able to change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), published guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally recognized with support from healthcare as well as guidance and funding for adults who suffer from ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released advice on ADHD among children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland guidelines on the condition. Private and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD, and researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible for it. This information could help develop better targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the condition. They collect information from the past of the patient as well as their family, educational and employment history, as well as their social history. They will look over the school records from the past and interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also examine 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 situation will be used by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They will also use various rating scales that examine different aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria and include questions like "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will look to determine if there are any medical problems that might be causing or making the symptoms worse, such as thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing problems. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
A person who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This can be particularly useful for people with comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They also examine the history of the patient's family and mental health.
They typically request that the person bring in report cards and school records to review, particularly 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 social worker will conduct the interview portion in an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is crucial to have a an accurate assessment as people with ADHD who aren't treated can have serious problems. This includes financial problems (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure to attend colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behavior of those suffering from ADHD with those of those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also essential to examine the patient for any other medical conditions that may be similar to ADHD, such as sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders and medical illnesses, such as thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. It is therefore crucial to establish a proper diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptoms in two or more environments such as school, home, or at work, and their symptoms must be affecting their life functioning. adhd diagnosis in adults must have manifested in childhood and a psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder is not caused by an illness of the mind or other concomitant conditions.