How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Getting a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking a test online or rating scale. The process requires an examination by a psychiatrist and medical professional.
Doctors look over family and medical histories which include old school records and past tests. They also interview parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often passed down from parents.
Symptoms
When a person has problems staying on task and paying attention to the details or even completing tasks that require a lot of attention it could be ADHD. But, there are many other conditions that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD, including depression and anxiety. This is why a precise diagnosis is so important. A thorough assessment will determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or another disorder.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who has experience with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask the patient questions and discuss their symptoms. They will also talk about how severe they are and how long it has been since they started and how often they occur. They will also inquire about the person's family and medical history, and also about their work and school life.
It is essential that a doctor knows about any problems a patient may be facing, like relationship or financial problems. The doctor may also wish to talk with the person's teacher or employer regarding any issues they've experienced concerning the performance of the individual in the classroom or at work. For children the doctor will talk to parents and may have to interview other adults like teachers, coaches, or nannies.
During the exam the doctor will review the patient's medical history and conduct physical. The physical will look for conditions that can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid issues. They will also look over any relevant records, like the person's work and educational background.
The provider will also perform an assessment of the psychological or behavioral. This could be a checklist of symptoms or a rating scale that reflects how the individual is feeling about certain actions. They can also conduct tests for cognitive or learning disabilities to determine if a person suffers from a disorder similar to ADHD, such as a learning problem. They'll also ask the person about their life and lifestyle, including whether they're in stressful situations or have any other conditions that could increase ADHD symptoms. They will also inquire about the person's ability follow instructions and work with others.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect children and adults in a variety of areas of their lives. The symptoms include trouble at school and at work and in extracurricular activities, and strained relationships. These problems can also affect driving and financial. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. You can ask your child's doctor to perform a screening or you can talk to a psychiatrist who is trained in mental illness.
The doctor will first talk to the patient about their behavior. In general the doctor will inquire for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six month. This will ensure that the symptoms are constant over time. The examiner will use a rating scale designed to evaluate symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale), or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
The specialist will also inquire about any current issues and examine the patient's medical background, including any family history of ADHD. The specialist might also look into the patient's driving and academic history as well as relationships and family issues. The examiner wants to know the lifestyle of the person and if they are drug or alcohol user.
To establish the diagnosis of ADHD, a specialist must be convinced that 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 least six months. The symptoms must also be debilitating and are not triggered by any other illness.
To confirm a diagnosis the doctor can administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA is conducted on a computer and involves observing a series of visual stimuli, such as shapes or letters, that appear on the screen. online tests for adhd watches the images, and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores that show how much difficulty the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
Someone who has symptoms of ADHD is typically examined for the disorder by a mental health professional. This will include an extensive physical exam, review of medical and family history and a psychiatric evaluation. The examination will include questions regarding symptoms and their impact on an individual's functioning and functioning, as well as standard ADHD behavior rating scales and other psychological testing.
The doctor may also speak with the patient's significant other If appropriate. The purpose of this is not to examine honesty, but to gain insight into the patient's experiences and behavior. It is typical for those with ADHD to have difficulty recalling details from their childhood. It is helpful if you interview people who have been with them for a long time. This will help the physician rule other conditions out that may cause similar symptoms.
The evaluator often interviews the child's teachers and parents. This is particularly important if a child is experiencing issues at school. The examiner may also inquire about the child’s social life and how the home and school environment is organized. This is important because the social setting is the primary source of stress and problems for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the physician will use a similar scale but it is more sophisticated and used to collect research data on symptoms. In certain instances, the examiner may also utilize computerized testing to check for symptoms of ADHD. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most widely used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a different kind of computer test that measures an individual's attention span.
For adolescents and young adults, the evaluator will also determine if the individual is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth in 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 or teen is diagnosed with ADHD medications will likely be part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer immediate relief from symptoms. These medications must, however be used with caution. A high dose of stimulants can lead to addiction or heart problems. Medications that release into the body over time, like atomoxetine or guanfacine, are more secure, but don't perform in the same way as stimulants do. These medications also may not be the best option for children with certain medical conditions, such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is a crucial part of the treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn better organizational skills and discover ways to improve their work and social interactions. Therapists can teach the client how to utilize reminders such as alarms or daily planners in order to keep on track. Therapists can also help adults suffering from ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to manage stressors in their lives.
For adults who suffer from ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist may conduct tests to screen for anxiety, depression learning disabilities, depression and other disorders that could look like or coexist with ADHD like seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can 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 screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test measures the ability to keep attention on track and resist impulsive impulses by presenting the person with visual targets on screens. The test evaluates the cognitive abilities of a person. It can be used with self-report questions to give the clinician an objective assessment of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic test method can be used to determine how a body will metabolize medication. The test can be used to aid doctors in selecting the most effective medication and avoid adverse negative effects for every patient. However, this kind of testing is expensive and is not readily available. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to identify ADHD in an individual.