ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults, diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct a physical examination. They will also rule out conditions which could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood behaviors because current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include finding your school records and getting in touch with former teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up at work, school or at home, and has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is unable to organize it could be that you suffer from ADHD. An evaluation by your health professional 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 in order to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. The symptoms must also be hindering your ability to function for example, in class, in creating close relationships, or working in a team. It's important to realize that everyone has problems staying focused and organized sometimes However, these issues are more serious for those with ADHD.
To make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctors will also review your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will search for health problems like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, which can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire if you have ever had symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms are affecting you at the moment and 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 are written down. This will aid in remembering them and give your provider an accurate description of the way your symptoms affect you. You may also bring in old records such as old reports or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your provider determine if ADHD has been a problem throughout your whole life or only began in recent times. These records can help your doctor rule other problems out, such as anxiety and depression that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or laziness. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma surrounding this disorder is slowly disappearing.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were unfocused or who were unable to focus. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and that they were not related to the quality of education or home environments. Still's report has been credited as the first official recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric manual, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not include ADHD. But in adult diagnosis of adhd approved a stimulant drug that became the preferred treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition that listed a number of mental health issues. It included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction in 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 recognizes these as manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they are able to change throughout a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. It was the first occasion that the UK as a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD, providing them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidelines on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Private and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. In recent times, there has been an increase in interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause it. This knowledge may help to develop better and more specific treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to determine if they have an assessment and diagnose. They will collect information about the person's past as well as their family, education, employment and social history. They might review old school records or interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria used 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 specialist will typically interview the patient about their symptoms with a questionnaire that is tailored to the specific situation. They will also use various rating scales which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. adhd diagnosis in adults of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria. They also include questions such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your time or tasks?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine if there are any medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms, such as thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing problems. They will also ask the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a trusted friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This can be particularly useful for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to recognize.
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 about how their symptoms affect their daily lives. They also take a look at a patient's family history and their mental health.
They could request an original copy of the student's report cards or school records, specifically those from kindergarten through 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 the psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview portion in an adhd diagnosis evaluation. In addition, they could interview friends, family members, teachers or employers as well. It is crucial to conduct thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD can experience serious problems that include financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failing in college or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will usually request that the patient complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not a diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important aspect of the assessment process.
It is also important to examine the person to determine if they have other conditions that could have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, and also medical ailments such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and to get the appropriate treatment.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet several requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home or at work, and their symptoms must seriously affect their daily functioning. Typically, the symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder is not caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.