ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough examination by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and conduct an examination of your body. They will also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed unless there is evidence of early signs. This means finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one struggles to keep up at school, work or at home, is having difficulty remembering important dates or appointments, or is unable to organize, you may have ADHD. A health care provider's evaluation can help you determine if this is the case, and, if so what the treatment options are.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working in a team. It is important to recognize that everyone has problems staying focused and well-organized at times However, these issues are more serious with ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also look at your family history, and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will be looking for health problems like thyroid issues and seizure disorders that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to know if your symptoms started in your childhood (technically prior to age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you today and how they've affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they're written down. This will help you to keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You may also bring old records such as old reports or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your provider determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or if it was diagnosed recently. These records can help your provider rule other problems out, such as depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or laziness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed and the stigma surrounding the disorder is slowly fading.
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 unfocused or who were unable to focus. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent in boys than in girls, and were not correlated with intelligence or home environment. Still's report is often credited as the beginning of formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition 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 which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968. It included a variety of mental health issues. diagnosis adhd included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still classified as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.
With the release of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients 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 recognizes these as manifestations rather than distinct types and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. It was the first occasion that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with healthcare, funding, support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released guidelines on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland recommendations on the condition. Other guidance has been produced by charities and private organizations. In recent times there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to discover the genes that cause it. This information could help develop better targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the problem. Whether they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or an individual doctor who is educated in the field of child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will want to collect a range of information about the person's history including family, educational, work and social history. They might look over old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will inquire about symptoms and how they affect 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 criteria to diagnose 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. The doctor will usually talk to the person regarding their symptoms with a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific situation. They also employ various rating scales to look at various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a variety of other criteria and include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting down?" and "Do you struggle to manage your time or tasks?"
They will perform an examination for physical health. They will look for medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms or causing them to become worse, such a thyroid disorder, hearing or vision issues. They will also ask the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may contribute to symptoms.
If a person is assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete the questionnaire with their partner or a close friend. This can help uncover personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are in no way able to provide. This is especially useful for people who have comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression. They often co-occur with ADHD, making it difficult to recognize the signs.
Psychological Evaluation
If a health care professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask them a series of questions about how the symptoms impact their daily lives. They also review the patient's mental health and family history.
They often ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten through high school. They can also request copies of previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. Additionally, they may interview friends, family members and teachers, as well. It is essential to obtain a comprehensive assessment because people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD, but they are an important element in the evaluation process.
It is also important to check the person for any other medical conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to certain treatments. It is therefore important to establish a proper diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet several criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home and at work, and the symptoms must seriously affect their life functioning. The symptoms must have appeared in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by an illness of the mind or other co-occurring conditions.