ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough examination by a specialist in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct a physical examination. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD like learning disorders, mood disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed unless there is evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could mean getting your school records as well as getting in touch with former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
You may have ADHD if you or someone you know is having trouble keeping up at school, work, or home. If they are unable to remember important dates or appointments or cannot keep their schedules in order and on track, then they could be suffering from ADHD. A visit to an expert in health care can 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 different environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. 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 struggles with paying attention and staying organized sometimes However, these issues are more severe for those with ADHD.
In order to make a diagnosis, your physician will conduct an interview and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. Providers will also review your family history as well as any past medical or psychological tests you've been through. They will look for health problems, such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've had symptoms during 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 also want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to the appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will help you remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You can also bring documents such as performance evaluations from your job or old school report cards. These records can help your provider determine whether ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your doctor determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety that have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or laziness. With advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed and the stigma around 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 and incapable of focusing. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls, and were not correlated with intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report is often credited with the start of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric manual, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications which were the main treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition, which included a list of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD, although they were still called hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
The release of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was a greater 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 defines these as manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they can change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), published guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been produced by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to find the genes responsible. This information could help develop better, more targeted treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the problem. If they are a doctor who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or a doctor who is also trained in child and young health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather a variety of information about the person's history, including education, family, and social history. They will look over old school records and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also examine how the symptoms have changed with time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines 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. A specific questionnaire adapted to the situation will be used by the specialist to interview the patient about their symptoms. They will also use various rating scales that look at different aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a number of other criteria and include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" Do you have trouble organizing your time or activities?
They will perform an examination of the body. They will look to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction or vision and hearing issues. They will also ask the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to symptoms.
Someone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to complete the questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially beneficial for those with multiple disorders like depression or anxiety. adhd diagnosis adult co-occur along with ADHD and can make it difficult to discern the signs.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional who is evaluating a child adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask a series of questions on how the symptoms affect their daily lives. They also examine the history of the patient's family and their mental health.
They may ask for a copy of the student's report card or school records, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They can also request copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological tests, including the results of IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an evaluation of the severity of adhd. In addition, they might interview friends, family members, teachers or employers as well. It is important to get an extensive assessment since people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. This includes financial issues (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure at colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will often ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compared the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings are not an official diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important element in the evaluation process.
It is also important to examine the patient for other conditions that could have similar symptoms to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is important that a correct diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in two or more environments, like home, school and work, and the symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. Typically, the symptoms must be present since the early years of life, and a psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder isn't caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.