ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults, diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough examination by a specialist in the disorder. They will likely ask you about your history and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out conditions which could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits as the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
You could be suffering from ADHD in the event that you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at school, work, or home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized, then you might be suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by a health care provider can help you determine whether this is the case and If it is an issue, what treatment options are available.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis The symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be apparent in at least two different settings (school and at home, for instance). The symptoms must also be impacting your ability to perform, for example in class, forming close relationships or in working in a team. It's important to understand that everyone struggles with paying attention and staying organized sometimes however, these issues are more serious for those with ADHD.
adults diagnosed with adhd will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The providers will also review your family history, and any previous medical or psychological tests that you may have taken. They will search for health issues like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that could cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you whether you've ever experienced symptoms in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms affect you now and how they've affected you in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will aid in remembering the symptoms and provide your doctor with a a complete picture of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring other records, such as the performance evaluations you receive from work or old school report cards. Having these documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or began in recent times. These records can help your provider to rule out other conditions like anxiety and depression, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a personality flaw or a sign of laziness. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed, and the stigma around the disorder is fading away.
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 incapable of focusing. He also noted that these signs were more prevalent in boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environment. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which became the preferred treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition which included a variety of mental health issues. It included the symptoms of ADHD, although they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
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 defines these as manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they are able to 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 a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD by providing them with financial aid, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Private organizations and charities have also developed guidelines. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This information could be helpful in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose the condition. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor who is also trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather a variety of details about the person's past including education, family, and social history. They will review the school records from the past and interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they affect daily life. They will also consider how 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 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. The specialist will usually interview the person about their symptoms with an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They may also employ different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults, while others will be based on different criteria, such as "Do you find it difficult sitting still?" and "Do you struggle to manage your activities or work?"
They will conduct a physical examination. They will look to determine if there are any medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision and hearing problems. They will also inquire with the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is assessed for ADHD in adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will help to gain personal insight that questionnaires and checklists not able to provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask a series of questions about how the symptoms affect their daily lives. They also examine a patient's family history and mental health.
They typically ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of prior tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological which include IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. They might also interview friends, family members and teachers as well as employers. It is crucial to conduct thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD can experience serious problems that include financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, a doctor will typically ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of people suffering from ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD but are an important element of the assessment process.
It is also important to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that could be similar to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, and medical conditions such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is crucial that a correct diagnosis is made and the right treatment is offered.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child or an adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptoms in at least two different settings, such as school, home, and work. The symptoms must also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. Generally, the symptoms must begin in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder isn't caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.