How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
The process of confirming an ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking an online test or rating scale. The process involves a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Doctors examine medical and family histories, including old school records as well as past tests. Parents, teachers, and kids are also interviewed about symptoms. ADHD symptoms are usually passed down from parents.
Symptoms
When a person has problems staying focused paying attention to specifics or starting and finishing tasks that require a lot of focus, it may be ADHD. Many people have other illnesses like depression or anxiety, that may cause similar symptoms. It is crucial to establish a clear diagnosis. A thorough examination will help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder.
A mental health professional who has experience with adult ADHD or a psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who is skilled in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask the patient questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also discuss the severity of their symptoms, how long it has been since they began, and how often they occur. They will also ask about the family and medical history, as well as their school and work schedules.
It is crucial for a doctor about any issues that may arise that a person may be facing, such as financial difficulties or trouble in relationships. They may also need to speak to the person's teacher or employer about any problems they have encountered with the person's performance at work or in school. For children, the doctor will interview parents and may have to speak with other adults, such as teachers, coaches, or the nannies.
During the examination, the provider will take the medical history of the patient and perform a physical. The physical exam will check for conditions that may cause symptoms that look like ADHD like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also review any relevant records, like the person's work and educational history.
The provider will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. It could be a list of symptoms or a rating system that determines the way a person feels about certain behavior. They may also take cognitive and learning disabilities tests to see if the person has a learning disability or other conditions that be similar to ADHD. They will also ask about the person's lifestyle, such as whether they are in a stressful environment or suffer from any other illness which could make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also ask the person about their ability to work with others and to follow instructions.
Diagnosis
The signs of ADHD affect many aspects of life for children as well as adults. They can be a source of difficulty in school and at work, poor performance in extracurricular activities and tensions in relationships. These issues can also impact driving and finances. Finding a medical professional who is well-versed in ADHD is the first step towards making an accurate diagnosis. You can ask your child's physician to perform a screening or you can seek out a psychiatrist certified in the field of mental illness.
The specialist will first interview the patient about their behavior. In general, the doctor will ask for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six months. This will ensure that the symptoms are consistent and they have persisted over time. The examiner will utilize an assessment scale to evaluate the symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5.
In addition to asking about current difficulties, the specialist will usually review the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health issues. The specialist may also examine the person's driving and academic records as well as relationships and family issues. The examiner is interested in knowing the lifestyle of the person and if he or she is a drug or alcohol user.
To diagnose ADHD A specialist must be convinced the symptoms are not caused by any other disorder. In general, the symptoms should be present in two or more settings and have been ongoing for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be debilitating, and not caused by any other illness.
To confirm the diagnosis, the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is administered using a computer and involves observing visual stimuli such as letters or shapes appearing on the screen. The user watches the stimulus and presses a button when or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores that indicate how much difficulty a person has with attention-related tasks.
Treatment
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is usually assessed for the disorder by a mental health professional. This could consist of a physical examination, a review family and medical histories, and a mental evaluation. The examination will include questions regarding symptoms and how they impact the person's performance. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests.
The clinician may also interview the patient's spouse, if applicable. This is not to assess honesty, but to learn more about the patient's experiences and behavior. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle with recalling details from their childhood and it can be helpful to talk to others who have been around the person for a long time. This will help the physician rule other conditions out that could cause similar symptoms.
For children the evaluator may interview the parents and teachers of the child. This is particularly important when a child is having difficulties at school. Additionally, the examiner will likely ask about the child's social life and how their home and school environments are organized. This is important, as the social environment is an important source of stress for people with ADHD.
In adult patients, the clinician will use a similar rating scale, however it is more sophisticated and utilized to gather research data about symptoms. In some instances an examiner might use computerized testing in order to detect ADHD symptoms. The most commonly used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is another type of test on computers that evaluates an individual's attention span.
For young adults and adolescents, the evaluator will also determine if the individual meets the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. 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 is diagnosed with ADHD medication will most likely be included in the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into bloodstreams and offer immediate relief from the symptoms. However, these medications must be given carefully. Too much of a stimulant can cause heart issues or addiction. Drugs that are released into the body over time, such as Guanfacine or atomoxetine, are less risky, but they don't work in the same way as stimulants do. These drugs may not be available for children suffering from certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment plan designed for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn to better organize themselves and devise strategies to improve their relationships and work. A therapist can show the person how to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to keep track of their goals. Therapists can help adults with ADHD manage their emotions and figure out ways to cope better with stressors.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may administer tests to adults suffering from ADHD which test for depression and anxiety as well as learning disabilities and other disorders which may look similar to ADHD or coexist with it, like thyroid disorder or seizures. Psychologists may also conduct an examination of the body and examine the medical records of the patient, their family history, and behavior.
Certain therapists utilize computer tests to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the capacity to keep attention on track and resist impulsive urges by prompting the person with visual targets displayed on screens. The test is designed to gauge the cognitive performance of a person and can be used in combination with self-report questions to give the clinician an objective assessment of a patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is now available that can determine the way in which a person's body process medications. The test can be used to aid doctors in selecting the most effective drug and avoid side consequences for each patient. online adhd tests of test can be expensive and is not readily accessible. The most reliable way to identify ADHD is by a medical professional.