ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a specialist in the disorder. They'll likely ask questions about your history and perform an examination of your body. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors as the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at school, work, or home, has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or can't seem to get organized, you may have ADHD. A visit to a health care provider will help you determine if this is the case, and in the event that it is the case, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in some ways, such as performing well in class, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It is important to recognize that everyone has difficulty staying organized and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
Your provider will ask you questions about your behavior and how it has impacted your life. The providers will also review your family history, as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will look for health problems, like thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've had symptoms in your childhood (technically before the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms impact you today and how they've affected you in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
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 recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture of how they impact you. You may also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a recent issue or has been present for a long time. They can also assist your doctor to determine if you have other issues like anxiety or depression which can have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or laziness. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma around this disorder is dissolving.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations of children who were inattentive and unable to focus. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more prevalent in boys than girls and were unrelated to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. The report is often credited with the first official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA published its second edition, which listed a number of mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health conditions, such as 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 recognizes these as manifestations rather than distinct types and says that they may change throughout a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole officially recognized adults with ADHD, providing them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD among children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. adhd adults diagnosis has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to find the genes that cause it. This information can help create better targeted, more effective treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose the condition. They will collect information from the past of the patient as well as their family, educational and employment history as well as social and personal. They will go through old school records and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about symptoms and how they impact life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines for diagnosing 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 usually interview the person about their symptoms by using an assessment that is adapted to the specific situation. They will also use different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a range of other criteria. They include questions like "Do you have difficulty sitting down?" Do you have trouble organizing your time or activities?
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine if there are any medical conditions which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms for example, thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if these may be contributing to symptoms.
If a person is being evaluated for ADHD in adulthood, they will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a trusted friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They also take a look at a patient's family history and their mental health.
They could request a copy of the student's report card or school records, particularly 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 learning disabilities assessments.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker conducts the interview portion in an adhd diagnosis evaluation. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation because people with untreated ADHD can experience serious problems such as financial issues (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the provider will usually request that the patient complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behavior of individuals with ADHD to those of people without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute the diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important part of the evaluation process.
It is also crucial to evaluate the individual for any other medical conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD, such as sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and to be treated accordingly.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in two or more settings like school, home and work, and the symptoms must be affecting their daily functioning. The symptoms must have appeared in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other co-occurring conditions.