ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD need a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is knowledgeable about the disorder. adhd diagnosis in adults 'll likely ask questions about your medical history and conduct an examination of your body. They will also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid issues.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits, since current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could mean finding your school records and contacting previous teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
You could have ADHD in the event that you or someone you know is struggling to keep up at work, school or home. If they're unable to remember important dates or appointments, or aren't able to stay organized and on track, then they could be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is the case, and, if so, what treatment options there are.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in school, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It is important to recognize that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctors will also review your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will also look for health issues, such as thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want determine if your symptoms began in your childhood (technically, before age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you today and how they've affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they are written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician a an accurate picture of the way your symptoms affect you. You can also bring old records such as old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or if it began in recent times. These records can help your provider to rule out other conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or a sign of laziness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatments 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 shared his observations of children who were unfocused or unable to concentrate. He also observed that these signs 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 considered to be the beginning of formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA released its second edition that included a variety of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD, although they were still called hyperkinetic reaction in 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 considers these as presentations, rather than distinct types, and states that they may change over the course of a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. It was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released guidance on ADHD among children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland guidelines on the condition. Private organizations and charities have also produced guidance. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD, and researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause it. This information could help create better and more specific treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to establish the diagnosis. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who is specialized in mental health (such as psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor who is also educated in the field of child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will need to collect a range of details about the person's past including the family, educational, work and social history. They might review old school records or talk to teachers, coaches, and other professionals that know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria 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 typically interview the person regarding their symptoms with the appropriate questionnaire to the specific circumstance. They also employ various ratings scales to assess different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a range of other criteria. They also include questions like "Do you have difficulty sitting down?" Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?
They will perform an examination of the body. They will check to see if there are any medical conditions which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms, such as thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing problems. They will also ask about the person's dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD in adulthood, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will help to gain personal insights that questionnaires and checklists not able to provide. This is especially useful for people who have multiple disorders like anxiety or depression. These are often associated with ADHD and can make it difficult to identify the symptoms.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also look over the patient's mental health and family history.
They typically ask the person to bring in report cards and school records for review, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They may request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests, including IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview portion in an adhd diagnosis evaluation. In addition, they might interview relatives, friends and teachers, as well. It is essential to obtain an accurate assessment as people who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure to attend colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor might ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of those suffering from ADHD to those of individuals who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important element in the evaluation process.
It is important to also examine the person to determine if there are other conditions that could be similar to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders, and addiction to drugs, as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is crucial that a proper diagnosis is made and that the right treatment is offered.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet a number of requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home and work, and the symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. Generally speaking, the symptoms should be present since the early years of childhood. A psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.