ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a specialist who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your previous experiences and conduct physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid disorders.
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 could include finding your school records and contacting previous teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at work, school or at home, and has trouble 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 if this is the case, and, if it is the case, what treatments are available.
The symptoms must be present in at least two different environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms should also be affecting your ability to function, for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working in a team. It is important to recognize that everyone struggles to stay focused and organized at times, but these problems are more severe in the case of ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has impacted your life. The providers will also examine your family history, and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will look for health issues, like thyroid disorders or seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to determine if your symptoms began in your 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 want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they are written down. This will help you remember the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate picture of how your symptoms impact you. You can also bring older records like old report cards or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. They can also assist your doctor to identify other conditions like depression or anxiety which can have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or lazyness. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma associated with 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 observed that the symptoms were more common for boys than girls and that they were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report has been credited with being the first formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were the main treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968, which listed several mental health conditions. It also included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still called hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
The release of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was an increase in 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 considers these to be different types of presentations and states that they are able to 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 formally recognized with support from healthcare, funding and guidance adults who had ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Private organisations and charities have also issued guidance. In recent times, there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause it. This information can help develop better and more specific treatments in the future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to determine if they have the diagnosis. Whether they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor who is also 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 education, family, and social history. They will review old school records and may 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 the symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria 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. The specialist will typically interview the patient about their symptoms by using an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They will also use different rating scales to look at various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a number of other criteria. They also include questions such as "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" Do you have trouble organizing your time or activities?
They will perform a physical exam. They will check to see if there are any medical problems which could be responsible for making the symptoms worse, such as thyroid dysfunction or vision and hearing issues. They will also inquire about the person's dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms.
Someone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete a questionnaire with their partner or close friend. This provides a deeper understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This is especially useful for those with co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety. These are often associated with ADHD, making it difficult to identify the signs.
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 look over the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They often ask the person to bring in report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten through high school. They may also request copies of prior psychological or neuropsychological tests, including IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker typically is the person who conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic assessment. They might also interview relatives, friends, teachers, or employers. It is crucial to have a an extensive assessment since people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. adhd diagnoses include financial problems (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure to attend colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor might ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important part of the assessment process.
It is important to also assess the individual to determine if they have other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse and also medical ailments such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is essential that a correct diagnosis is made and that the right treatment is offered.
A person who is a child or an adult must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must show symptoms in two or more environments such as school, home, and at work, and the symptoms must significantly interfere with their daily functioning. Typically, the symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.