ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults, diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your history and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD like learning disorders, mood disorders, or thyroid problems.
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 symptoms from childhood. This could include obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
You could have ADHD in the event that you or someone you know is having trouble keeping up at school, work, or at home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments, or aren't able to keep track of important dates or appointments, then you might be suffering from ADHD. Getting an evaluation by a health care provider can help you find out if this is the case and, if it is, what treatments are available.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for at least 6 months and be evident in at least two different settings (school and home, for example). They should also seriously interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It's important to understand that everyone has issues staying focused and well-organized at times however, these issues are more serious for those with ADHD.
Your provider will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also examine your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will look for health issues, such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've had symptoms in childhood (technically before age 12). Your doctor will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you at the moment and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you've written them down. This will help you keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You can also bring documents, such as performance evaluations from work or old school report cards. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is slowly disappearing.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were inattentive or incapable of concentrating. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more common for boys than girls, and were not correlated with intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report has been credited with being the first the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychiatric guide, published in 1952, didn't include ADHD. However, in 1955 the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, which included a variety of mental health issues. It also included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
In 1994 the fourth edition of the 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 presentations rather than distinct types and states that they can change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as an entire officially recognized adults with ADHD and provided them with healthcare, funding, support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network), has also released guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations on the condition in Scotland. Other guidelines have been created by private companies and charities. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge could help in the future to develop more targeted and effective treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to determine the severity of the condition. They collect data from the past of the patient as well as their family, education and employment history, as well as their social history. They will look over old school records and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about the symptoms, and how they affect life. They will also look at how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, defines the criteria 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. A questionnaire tailored to the specific situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They also employ various 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 range of other criteria and include questions like "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" and "Do you find it hard to organize your time or tasks?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look for medical conditions that could be creating the symptoms or making them worse, like thyroid disorder, hearing or vision problems. They will also ask about the person's dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood, they will be asked to complete the questionnaire with their partner or a trusted friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is particularly beneficial for people with comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. adhd diagnosed examine the family history of the patient and their mental health.
They often ask people to bring in their report cards and school records for review, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of prior tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview portion in an evaluation of the severity of adhd. Additionally, they may interview friends, family members and teachers as well. It is crucial to have a an accurate assessment as people with ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. This includes financial problems (impulsive purchases) and marital problems or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During the interview, a doctor will often ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of individuals without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an indication of ADHD, but they are an important part in the evaluation process.
It is also important to assess the individual to determine if they have other conditions that may be similar to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, and medical conditions such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and receive the right treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behavior in two or more settings, like home, school and at work, and the symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. The symptoms must have manifested in childhood, and a psychiatrist must verify that the disorder was not caused by an illness of the mind or other comorbid conditions.