ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your past and perform an examination of your body. They will also rule out any conditions that could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits as the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include obtaining your school records and contact with your former teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
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 struggling to stay organized it could be that you suffer from ADHD. An evaluation by an expert in health care can help you find out whether this is the case, and If it is the case, what treatments are available.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be evident in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, as an 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 on teams. It is important to recognize that everyone has issues staying focused and well-organized at times However, these issues are more severe for those with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask 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 search for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want to know if your symptoms started in your early years (technically prior to age 12). Your provider will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you right now and in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly when they are written down. This will aid in remembering them and give your physician a an accurate description of how your symptoms affect you. You can also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine whether ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only began just recently. They can also help your doctor rule out other problems like depression or anxiety which can have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or lazyness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma around this disorder is fading.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were unable to pay attention or who were unable to focus. He also observed that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were not related the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited with being the first the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, didn't include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition which included a variety of mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's manual listed several mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994 the fourth edition of psychiatric book was released. 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 defines these as presentations rather than distinct types and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) has released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first occasion that the UK as an entire recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with financial aid, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland guidelines on the condition. Other guidelines have been created by charities and private organizations. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This information could be helpful in the near future in developing more targeted and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose the condition. They will collect information about the person's past as well as their family, education, employment and social history. They will review old school records and may interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also look at how 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 children and adults. 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. undiagnosed adhd in adults tailored to the specific situation will be utilized by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ different rating scales to evaluate different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on other factors, including questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" Do you have trouble organizing your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will determine whether there are any medical problems which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also ask about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood the person will be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This helps to uncover the personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are not able to provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask them a series of questions regarding how their symptoms affect their lives. They also examine a patient's family history and their mental health.
They typically ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records for review, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They may also ask for copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, such as results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker typically will conduct the interview part of an adhd diagnostic assessment. In addition, they might interview relatives, friends and teachers, as well. It is essential to have thorough evaluations because those who suffer from untreated ADHD may have serious issues such as financial problems (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the provider will often ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compared the behavior of people with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important aspect of the process of evaluating.
It is also important to examine the person to determine if they have other conditions that might have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse and medical conditions such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the right treatment is offered.
A child or adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behavior in two or more settings, like home, school and work, and the symptoms must significantly interfere with their daily functioning. Generally, the symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.