ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that may resemble ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid problems.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors because the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include obtaining your school records and contact with your former teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at school, work or at home, is having trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or is struggling to stay organized it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is the case, and if so what the treatment options are.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis The symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be noticeable in at least two different settings (school and home, for example). They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, such as performing well in school, developing close relationships, or functioning as a member of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these issues are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
In order to make an assessment, your doctor will conduct an interview and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also review your family history, and any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will look for health problems, like thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want know if your symptoms started in childhood (technically, before age 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms affect you now and how they've affected you in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you've written them down. This will aid in remembering the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate picture of the way your symptoms affect you. You can also bring old records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long time. They can also help your provider rule out other problems like anxiety or depression that often exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or a sign of laziness. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatments, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma around 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 unfocused and unfocused. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report has been considered to be the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric manual published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were the main treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition, which included a variety of mental health issues. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994, the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. This led to greater 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 views these as presenting symptoms, not distinct types and states that they can change throughout the course of a person's lifetime.
diagnosis of adhd (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) has released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with healthcare, funding, assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD, and researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause it. This information can help create better targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the problem. If they are a doctor who is specialized in mental health (such as psychologist or psychiatrist) or an individual doctor who is trained in child and young health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather a variety of information about the person's history including the family, educational, work and social histories. They will look over old school records and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they affect daily life. They will also look at how 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 customized questionnaire to the particular situation will be used by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They also employ various rating scales to evaluate different aspects 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 find it difficult to sitting down?" Do you struggle with organizing your work or activities?
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine whether there are any medical conditions that might be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a trusted friend. This can help uncover personal insight that questionnaires and checklists are not able to provide. This is particularly beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to spot.
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 could request a copy of the student's report cards or school records, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological testing, including results from IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic assessment. They may also conduct interviews with friends, family members, teachers, or employers. It is important to have an extensive evaluation as people who suffer from untreated ADHD may have serious issues, including financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failure in college or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will often ask the patient to complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not a diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is important to also examine the person to determine if they have other conditions that might be similar to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, and medical conditions such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, so it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is provided.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in more than one setting, like home, school or at work, and their symptoms must be affecting their life functioning. The symptoms must first be noticed in childhood, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder was not caused by an illness of the mind or other co-occurring conditions.