ADHD Diagnosis
Adults are more difficult to identify than children. A good diagnosis starts with a clinical interview by an expert in ADHD.
Bring any medical or academic records with you to your appointment. You may also bring questionnaires or rating scales that give information about your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
A doctor will conduct a physical exam and interview you to determine if ADHD is present. The evaluator will inquire about the person's family history and childhood, and might use checklists to record the person's symptoms. The evaluator will also go over school and work records and may wish to speak with teachers or other people who spend time with the person.
The evaluator will use the official lists of symptoms for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity to determine whether the person meets diagnostic criteria. The criteria is that the person suffers from multiple symptoms for at least six months and that the symptoms are present in more than one location -- such as at home, school or at work. The evaluator can also look for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Adults will be evaluated to determine the severity of their symptoms and their impact on social or work life. The evaluator may also ask the individual how they feel about their symptoms and if they affect their daily functioning.
Many people with ADHD have trouble remembering whether their problems started in the beginning or later. Because of this, the specialist will usually interview someone who knows the person well, such as siblings or spouses for an adult, or an educator or parent for the child. The evaluator might use checklists for adults, and for children there is a list of behavior to look out for.
Contrary to previous diagnostic guidelines the adult can't be diagnosed with ADHD until symptoms begin to manifest before the age of 12. This change is meant to prevent people with ADHD who were diagnosed as children being misdiagnosed as having other disorders, for example, anxiety and depression.
Medical Histories
If you suspect your child or yourself has ADHD, your first step should be to speak with an expert who can perform a thorough evaluation. Ask your doctor or a mental health specialist in your area for recommendations or look up the phone book by "psychiatry" and "psychology." You can also contact an adult ADHD support group, since many will have worked with local specialists who are able to offer referrals.
During the ADHD diagnostic evaluation, a healthcare professional will look over the patient's medical and family history. They will inquire about how the symptoms affect functioning in different environments such as at home, work, or in relationships. It is important to determine the severity of the symptoms since the APA's guidelines for ADHD stipulate that the symptoms must cause significant impairment in order to be classified as ADHD.
uk adhd assessment will usually interview the patient, however, they might also request to talk to his or her siblings, parents and friends who are familiar with him. Some professionals will have people complete questionnaires or ratings scales, including ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behavior ratings. Teachers and other caregivers can also be valuable sources of information.
It is important to assess the extent to which the individual's symptoms interfere in various situations, since the APA's diagnostic guidelines state that symptoms have to occur frequently and impair performance. This is important, as other conditions, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities can be similar to ADHD (Austerman 2015). A medical examination can be performed to determine if there are any other possible reasons for the symptoms. This could be thyroid issues as well as hearing or vision issues, or medications like stimulants and sedatives.
Family History
In some cases there is a history of ADHD in the family could be a major factor in making the diagnosis. It is a hereditary condition, and a thorough study of the patient's as well as his or her family members histories can help determine the presence of a genetic pattern.
It is crucial that healthcare professionals have a complete understanding of the symptoms of their patients, which includes whether or not they happen in school, at work, or social situations. A physician should also consider the degree to which symptoms affect the patient's daily activities. This is a more accurate test than simply looking at the number of symptoms or looking at a patient's IQ.
A doctor may conduct an interview with the child or teen as well as their parents. In many instances, a pediatrician or psychiatrist is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. For adults, a detailed interview is required by a mental health specialist who has extensive knowledge of ADHD and has the time to examine each patient's situation.
A thorough evaluation typically includes a physical exam, which can rule out specific health conditions that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD. A complete medical history is also taken. For children, this may include previous medical and school records and an evaluation of the psychological state by a school counselor or psychologist. Old school records can be useful for adults to determine if the symptoms began in childhood.
When diagnosing adults with psychiatric disorders, it is particularly important to look at how the symptoms affect the daily activities. A thorough psychiatric examination might be required, including scoring scales and questions asked by the patient and caregivers and caregivers, as well as a consultation with a doctor and referral for medical exam. Adults may also undergo a psychometric or neuropsychological assessment to determine the relationship between their symptoms and learning disorders.
Interviews
A professional will talk to you or your child about their problems at home, school, and in the community. The provider will ask about your child's medical and family background, and will look over any records you bring with you, such as old school report cards. This information will enable the doctor to determine whether you or your child is required to take an assessment for ADHD.
Your provider will use rating scales to identify if you or your child meets criteria for ADHD, including six established symptoms in the two main categories of the disorder -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These ratings are typically taken over a period of six months, and cover both at school and home. The ratings should be provided by those who know your child and yourself well, including coaches, teachers as well as religious leaders, scouts and parents.
To be diagnosed with ADHD adults and children must have symptomatic behavior that is debilitating and hinders everyday functioning in multiple settings, such as at school, at work, or at play. Symptoms should start in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. They aren't caused by another mental health problem.
The sensitivity and precision of ADHD evaluations can be improved by using psychometric and neuropsychological tests that measure IQ and cognitive function. They should be used alongside a clinician's interview and rating scales as part of a comprehensive assessment strategy. These assessments may include the use of a standardized questionnaire like the ADHD Diagnostic Interview for Adults (DIVA) or a computerized adaptive testing approach that measures the speed of response, short-term memory and executive functions. In the future digital technology like virtual reality and head motion sensors for continuous performance tests, could help improve the ecological validity by permitting people to immerse themselves in their natural surroundings instead of sitting in a clinic office.
Tests
If your physician or mental health professional suspects ADHD they might refer you to an ADHD specialist. A complete evaluation will include a thorough interview, information from other sources, such as your spouse or significant others, as well as the standardized scales of behavior ratings for ADHD. Depending on the clinical impression, the evaluator may also order tests to screen for other conditions that could have an impact on your symptoms, like depression, learning disabilities, or a medical condition.
A thorough ADHD assessment requires the evaluator to determine if your symptoms are significantly affecting your life and functioning. Impairment can be in a variety of environments that include your work, home, school and social relationships. The evaluator should ask what your symptoms have affected you in each situation. This will enable the evaluator to establish a diagnosis, and develop treatment recommendations.
In addition to the symptom ratings A comprehensive assessment usually includes one or more standardized performance test for ADHD. These tests are based on research and compare the behavior of people with ADHD with those without. They enhance the effectiveness of a clinical interview by focusing on specific behaviors rather than the general performance. These measures can assist evaluaters determine if a person is lying or attempting to cheat on a test. This problem has been recognized in the field for a long time.
In addition to the standardized test and symptom rating scales, a thorough ADHD evaluation should include brain scans and other imaging procedures for neurological disorders. However, these tests are not routinely used in a clinical setting due to the expense and expose the patient to ionizing radiation.