ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your past and perform an examination of your body. They will also look for conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behaviors, since the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed absent evidence of childhood symptoms. This could include finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
You could have ADHD If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at work, school or at home. If they're unable to remember important dates or appointments or cannot keep their schedules in order, then you might be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment will help you determine if this is the case, and, if it is what your treatment options are.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, for example). The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform, for example in class, developing close relationships or working as part of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying focused and organized at times, but these issues are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
To determine an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history as well as any previous psychological or medical tests you may have had. They will look for health issues, such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you whether you've ever experienced symptoms in your childhood (technically prior to 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.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will help you remember the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate description of the way your symptoms affect you. You may also bring old records such as old report cards or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider rule other problems out, such as anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or laziness. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma associated with this disorder is diminishing.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were unable to pay attention or incapable of concentrating. He also noted that the symptoms were more common for boys than girls and that they were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report is often associated as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric manual published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. But in 1955 the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that became the preferred treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition that listed a number of mental health disorders. The second edition of the manual included a variety of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994, the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. 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 considers these as presentations, not distinct types, and says that they may change over the course of a person's lifetime.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time the UK as a whole recognised with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults who had ADHD. 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 a rise in interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to discover the genes responsible. This information can help create better, more targeted treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the condition. They collect data from the patient's past as well as their family, education, employment and social history. They will look over the school records from the past and 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 consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria for diagnosing 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 specialist will usually interview the person about their symptoms with the appropriate questionnaire to the specific situation. They will also use different rating scales to evaluate different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a number of other criteria. They also include questions such as "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" and "Do you struggle to manage your time or tasks?"
They will perform an examination of the body. how is adhd diagnosed in adults will look to determine whether there are any medical issues that might be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire about the person's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a close family member. This will help to gain personal insight that questionnaires and checklists not able to provide. This is especially beneficial for people who have comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety. These are often associated with ADHD, making it difficult to identify the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions about how the symptoms affect their lives. They also look over the patient's mental health and family history.
They may ask for copies of the student's report cards or school records, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They may request copies of any previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker usually will conduct the interview part of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. They might also interview family members, friends, teachers, or employers. It is essential to have thorough evaluations because those who suffer from untreated ADHD can experience serious problems, including financial issues (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failure in college 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 upon research that compared the behavior of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These scores are not an indication of ADHD, but they are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also important to evaluate the individual to determine if there are other conditions that might be similar to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders and substance abuse and also medical ailments like thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. It is therefore important to establish a proper diagnosis and receive the right treatment.
To be considered to have ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet a number of criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in more than one setting, like home, school and at work, and the symptoms must seriously affect their daily functioning. Typically, the symptoms must begin in childhood, and a psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.