How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Getting a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as easy as taking a test online or rating scale. The process involves a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Doctors review medical and family histories, including old school records and tests from the past. Parents, teachers, and kids are also interviewed about symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often seen within families.
Signs and symptoms
If someone has trouble staying on task, paying attention to details or starting and finishing tasks that require a lot focus it could be ADHD. However, a lot of people suffer from other disorders that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as depression and anxiety. It is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough examination will help determine whether the symptoms are due to ADHD or other disorders.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who is experienced with ADHD in adults or has experience in adult ADHD can conduct an evaluation. They will ask questions and discuss with the person about their symptoms, how long they've been occurring, how often they occur, and how severe they are. They will inquire about the person’s medical history and family background, their work and school experiences, and even the family.
It is essential that a doctor is aware of any problems a patient may be experiencing, such as relationship or financial problems. The doctor might also want to talk with the person's employer or teacher about any issues they've encountered regarding the performance of the person at school or at work. For children, the doctor will interview parents and may also need to speak with other adults, such as teachers, coaches or the nannies.
During the exam, the doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history and conduct physical. The physical exam is used to check for conditions such as seizures or thyroid disorders which may be a symptom of ADHD. They will also review the person's educational and work history, as well as any other pertinent documents.
The provider will also perform an assessment of the psychological or behavioral. This could be a checklist of symptoms or a rating scale that measures how the individual is feeling about certain behaviors. They may also use cognitive and learning disabilities tests to see if the person has a learning disability or other disorders that can be similar to ADHD. They may also inquire about the person's life for example, whether they are in a stressful environment or have any other illnesses which could cause ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their ability to work with others and follow the instructions.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of ADHD interfere with many areas of life for both children and adults. These symptoms include difficulties at work and in school as well as poor performance in activities outside of school, and tension in relationships. These issues can also affect the driving experience and financial situation. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to find a medical professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD. Your child's doctor can perform the test or you might want to look for a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
The first thing that a doctor will do is interview the patient about the behavior of the person. In general doctors will ask about the symptoms for at least six months. This will ensure that the symptoms have been constant over time. The examiner will employ a rating scale to assess symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale), or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
In addition to asking about current issues, the doctor will typically look over the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health problems. The specialist might also look into the patient's academic and driving history as well as relationships and family issues. online adhd tests will also need to know about the lifestyle of the individual including whether they suffer from any issues with alcohol or drugs.
To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the doctor must be convinced that the symptoms can't be better explained by another disorder. In general, the symptoms should be present in two or more settings and have been ongoing for at minimum six months. Moreover, the symptoms must be debilitating and not related to any other illness.
The doctor may conduct one of the tests for attention, such as the TOVA Continuous Performance Test, to confirm the diagnosis. The TOVA is conducted using a computer. It involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, for example letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The user watches the images and then presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores that indicate the level of difficulty the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
A mental health professional will evaluate those who exhibit symptoms of ADHD. This will involve an extensive physical examination, review of medical and family history, and a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation will include questions regarding symptoms and how they affect the individual's functioning. It will also include standardized ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests.
The clinician will also speak with the patient as well as his significant other, if appropriate. This is not a way to test honesty, but to find out more about the patient's experiences and behaviors. It is common for people with ADHD to have difficulty remembering details from their childhood. It may be useful to conduct interviews with adults who have been with them for a long period of time. This can help the clinician rule other conditions out that could cause similar symptoms.
For children, the evaluator will often interview the child's teachers and parents. This is particularly important in the event that the child is experiencing difficulties at school. Additionally, the examiner will likely inquire about the child's social life and how his or her home and school environments are organized. This is important since the social environment is the primary source of stress and difficulties for people with ADHD.
The doctor will use the same scale of rating for adult patients. However, it is more sophisticated. It is used to collect research data about symptoms. In some instances an examiner might use computerized testing in order to detect ADHD symptoms. The most commonly tested test is known as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers called the continuous performance test (CPT), is a test that measures an individual's ability to sustain attention for a set amount of time.
The evaluator will decide whether the individual is in compliance with the ADHD diagnostic criteria found 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 or teenager is diagnosed with ADHD medication is likely to be part of the treatment program. The stimulant drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer quick relief from symptoms. These medications must, however be used with caution. A high dose of stimulants can lead to addiction or heart problems. Drugs that are released into the body over time, like the atomoxetine and guanfacine are safer but don't work in the same way as stimulants do. These medications may also not be available to children with certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is an essential element of the treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can assist people in learning more efficient organizational skills and come up with strategies to improve their work performance and social interactions. For instance, a therapist may help a person learn to use reminders like alarms or daily planners to keep them on track. Therapists can also help adults with ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and find ways to manage stressful situations in their lives.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may administer tests to adults suffering from ADHD that screen for anxiety and depression as well as learning disabilities and other disorders which may look similar to ADHD or coexist with it, such as seizures or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists may also perform an examination of the body and review the medical records of the patient, their family history and behavior.
Some therapists employ a computer test to help people test for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the capacity to maintain attention and resist impulse-driven urges by presenting the person by displaying visual targets on the screen. The test assesses a person's cognitive function and can be used in conjunction with self-report questions to provide the doctor an objective measurement of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is available that can tell you how a person's body will process medications. The test will help doctors choose the most appropriate drug for each person and avoid adverse unwanted side effects. However, this type of test is costly and is not easily accessible. The most reliable way to diagnose ADHD is by a medical professional.