ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD require a thorough assessment from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely ask about your history and do a physical exam. They'll also rule out conditions that may resemble ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult 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 or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at school, work or at home, is having difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is unable to stay organized, you may have ADHD. Getting an evaluation by an expert in health care will help you determine if this is the case, and, if it is, what treatments are available.
The symptoms must be present in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It's important to realize that everyone struggles with staying focused and organized sometimes, but these problems are more serious for those with ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you may have had. They will search for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've ever experienced symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms impact you today and how they have 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, especially if they are written down. This will allow you to remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You can also bring old records such as old report cards or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or if it was diagnosed just recently. These documents can help your doctor determine if there are other issues including anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in the character of a person. With advances in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma associated with this disorder is fading.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations of children who were unfocused and incapable of focusing. He also observed that these signs were more prevalent in boys than girls and were unrelated to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. The report is often credited as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychiatric guide, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. But in 1955, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition which included a variety of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD, although they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
With the release of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was an increase in 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 as presentations, not distinct types, and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole officially recognized adults with ADHD by providing them with financial aid, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released guidelines on ADHD among children. These two documents are the sole official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. 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 knowledge will help in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to make a diagnosis. They collect data from the past of the patient as well as their family, educational, employment and social history. They will review old school records and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines 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. The doctor will usually talk to the person regarding their symptoms with an assessment that is adapted to the particular situation. They may also employ a variety of rating scales which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults while others will be based on other criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?"
They will conduct an examination of the body. They will look to determine if there are any medical issues that could be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing problems. They will also inquire about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
A person who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult may be asked to fill out an assessment with their partner or close friend. This provides a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This can be particularly useful for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to recognize.
Psychological Evaluation
A health care professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They also take a look at the family history of the patient and mental health.
They can request a copy of the student's report cards or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological testing, such as results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. They may also conduct interviews with relatives, friends, teachers, or employers. It is essential to obtain an extensive assessment since people with ADHD who aren't treated can have serious problems. These could include financial problems (impulsive purchases) and marital problems or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behavior of individuals with ADHD to those of individuals without the disorder. These ratings are not a diagnosis of ADHD, but they are an important element in the evaluation process.
It is important to also evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that might exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
A person of any age must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home and at work, and the symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. The symptoms must have manifested in childhood and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by an illness of the mind or other comorbid conditions.