How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as simple as taking a test online or using a rating scale. The process includes a medical and psychological evaluation.
Doctors look over family and medical history including past tests and old school records. They also interview parents as well as teachers and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often passed down from parents.
Symptoms
ADHD is diagnosed when a person is struggling to stay on task or pay attention to specifics or begin and complete tasks that require focus. However, many people have other disorders that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD, including anxiety and depression. This is why a precise diagnosis is so important. A thorough evaluation can help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder.
A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is skilled in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask questions and speak to the person about their symptoms and how long they've been occurring regularly, how often they occur, and how severe they are. They will ask about the individual's medical and family background as well as their school and work experience, and even their family.
It is essential that a doctor knows about any issues a patient might be having, such as relationship or financial issues. The doctor might also want to talk with the person's teacher or employer regarding any issues they've experienced concerning the performance of the individual in school or at work. For children the doctor will talk to parents and may have to interview other adults such as coaches, teachers or nannies.
During the examination the doctor will collect the patient's medical history and conduct an examination. The physical exam is used to determine if a person has a medical condition such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders that may resemble symptoms of ADHD. They will also look over the individual's academic and work history as well as any other pertinent documents.
The doctor will also conduct an examination of the personality or psychological. It could be a list of symptoms, or a rating system that measures how an individual feels about certain behaviors. testing for adult adhd may also take cognitive and learning disabilities tests to determine if the person suffers from a learning disability or any other disorder that could mimic ADHD. They will also ask the person about their daily routine and lifestyle, including whether they are in stressful situations or if they have any other conditions that could cause ADHD symptoms. They will also ask about the ability of the person to follow directions and interact with other people.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of ADHD can affect many areas of life for children and adults. They can cause problems at school and work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. They can also cause problems in driving and managing finances. The first step to getting an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. Your child's doctor may perform a screening, or you may want to look for a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
The specialist will first interview the patient regarding their behavior. In general the doctor will inquire for symptoms that have been present for at least a month. This will ensure that the symptoms are constant over time. The examiner will use an assessment scale that is designed to assess the symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official manual for diagnosing mental disorders).
The specialist will also inquire about any current issues and examine the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. They will also examine the individual's academic and driving records and relationship and family problems. The examiner will also want to know about the lifestyle of the individual including whether he or she has any drug or alcohol abuse problems.
To establish the diagnosis of ADHD, a specialist must be convinced that the symptoms are not related to any other disorder. The symptoms must be present at least two times and for a minimum of six months. Moreover, the symptoms must be debilitating and not related to any other condition.
The doctor can administer one of the attention tests like the TOVA Continuous Performance Test, to confirm a diagnosis. The TOVA test is performed using a computer. It involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, such as letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The user watches the stimulus and presses a button when or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to show how difficult it is for a person to perform attention-related tasks.
Treatment
A mental health professional will evaluate a person who has symptoms of ADHD. This will include an extensive physical exam and an examination of family and medical history and a psychiatric evaluation. The test will consist of questions regarding symptoms and their impact on the individual's functioning in addition to standard ADHD behavior rating scales and other psychological testing.
The doctor will also talk to the patient and his significant other, if applicable. This is not a way to examine honesty, but to learn more about the patient's experiences and behaviors. It is common for people who suffer from ADHD to have difficulty recalling details from their childhood. It can be beneficial to interview adults who have been with them for a long period of time. This information will help the physician identify other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
The evaluator may interview the child's parents and teachers. This is especially important in the event that the child is experiencing problems at school. In addition, the evaluator will likely inquire about the child's life in the social world and how his or her home and school environments are organized. This is crucial, since the social setting is an important stressor for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the clinician will employ a similar rating scale, however it is more sophisticated and used to gather research data about symptoms. In certain instances the examiner could employ computerized testing to test for symptoms of ADHD. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most widely used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is another type of computer test that measures the attention span of an individual.
The evaluator will determine whether the person meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD medication will most likely be included in the treatment plan. The stimulant medication is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, and offers quick relief of symptoms. These drugs must, however be used with caution. Too much stimulant can lead to heart issues or addiction. The drugs that release slowly into the body like atomoxetine and Guanfacine, are less harmful however they don't perform quite as quickly as stimulants. These drugs may not be available for children suffering from certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can teach people how to improve their organization and develop strategies for improving their work and relationships. Therapists can teach the person how to use reminders like alarms or daily planners in order to keep track of their goals. Therapists can help people with ADHD manage their emotions and figure out ways to cope better with stressors.
For adults suffering from ADHD, a psychologist or psychiatrist may administer tests that test for anxiety, depression learning disabilities, depression and other disorders that could look like or coexist with ADHD, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. Psychologists can also conduct a physical exam and look over the person's medical history, family history and behavior.
Some therapists employ computer tests to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the ability of a person to keep attention and resist impulsive impulses by presenting targets on the screen of a computer. The test evaluates the cognitive capacity of a person and can be used with self-report questions to provide the clinician an objective assessment of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is now available that can tell you the way in which a person's body process medications. testing adhd in adults can be used to help doctors choose the best medication and avoid adverse consequences for each patient. However, this kind of test is costly and is not easily accessible. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to diagnose ADHD in a person.