ADHD Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD in adults can be more difficult than diagnosing children. An accurate diagnosis begins with a thorough interview conducted by an expert in ADHD.
Bring any medical or academic records to your appointment. You may also bring questionnaires or rating scales that provide details on your symptoms.
Symptoms
A doctor will conduct a physical examination and interview you to determine whether ADHD is present. The evaluator may inquire about a person's childhood and their family history and use checklists to record symptoms. The evaluator will also go over documents from the workplace and school, and may want to talk with teachers or others who spend time with the person.
The evaluator will use the official lists of symptoms for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity to determine whether the person meets diagnostic criteria. These criteria include that the person has several symptoms that last for at least 6 months and that the symptoms occur in more than one location like at home, at work or school. The evaluator could also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
In adults, the evaluator will assess how severe the symptoms are and how they impact work or social life. The evaluator might also inquire about how they feel about their symptoms and if they interfere with their daily life.
Many people suffering from ADHD are unable to remember the time when their issues began. A specialist will often interview someone who is familiar with the individual, for example, their spouse, sibling, or parent for an adult or a teacher parent of the child. The evaluator might use checklists for adults, and for children the list of behaviours to look out for.
Contrary to previous diagnostic guidelines An adult cannot be diagnosed with ADHD until symptoms begin to manifest before the age of 12. This change is meant to prevent people who had ADHD as children from being misdiagnosed as having other disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Medical Histories
If you suspect your child or yourself has ADHD The first step is to speak with an expert who will conduct an exhaustive assessment. Talk to your doctor or mental health expert in your area for recommendations, or search the phone book for "psychiatry" and "psychology." You can also reach out to an adult support group with ADHD because many of them will have worked with local experts who can offer referrals.
A healthcare professional will review a person's medical history and family history during the ADHD diagnostic assessment. They will inquire about how the symptoms affect functioning in different environments such as at home, work or in relationships. It is essential to determine the severity of the symptoms as the APA's guidelines on ADHD stipulate that the symptoms require significant impairment in order to be diagnosed.
The healthcare professional will generally interview the patient, however, they might also request to speak to the person's parents, siblings and friends who know him well. Some healthcare professionals will ask patients to fill out questionnaires or scales. They may also ask for ADHD symptom checklists and ratings of behavior. Teachers and other caregivers can also be valuable sources of information.
It is essential to evaluate how the individual's symptoms affect in various situations, since the APA's diagnostic guidelines note that symptoms must manifest frequently and affect performance. This is crucial because other disorders, such as mood disorders and learning disabilities may be similar to ADHD (Austerman 2015). Additionally, a medical exam may be performed to check for other possible causes for the symptoms, including thyroid issues, vision or hearing issues or the use of certain medications, such as stimulants or sedatives.
Family History
In some instances there is the family history of ADHD is a crucial factor in getting a diagnosis. It is a highly heritable condition, and a thorough review of the patient's and relatives histories can help determine whether there is a family pattern.
It is essential that doctors have a complete picture of the symptoms of their patients, which includes whether or not they happen in school, at work, or social situations. A doctor should also be able to determine the degree to which symptoms interfere with the patient's daily activities. This is a more accurate measure than simply looking at the number of symptoms or looking at a patient's IQ.
A doctor may interview the child or teen as well as their parents. In many instances psychiatrists or pediatricians is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. A mental health specialist who has extensive experience in ADHD is required to conduct an in-depth interview for adults.
A thorough evaluation includes a physical exam, which can help determine certain conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A complete medical record is also required. This can include medical and school records as in addition to a psychologist's or school counselor's psychological evaluation. For adults documents from school can be helpful in determining the cause of symptoms that began in the early years of life.
When diagnosing adults it is important to consider how symptoms impact daily life. A thorough psychiatric exam may also be necessary that includes rating scales and questionnaires by the patient and their caregivers, a clinical interview, and a referral for medical examination. Adults can also undergo a psychometric or neuropsychological test to determine the connection between their symptoms and learning disorders.
Interviews
A healthcare professional will speak with you or your child regarding their issues at home, at school, and in the community. The provider will ask about your or child's medical and family history, and will also review any records that you may bring, such as old school report cards. This information will enable the doctor to determine if you or your child is required to undergo a test for ADHD.
Your provider will use rating scales to identify if you or your child meets criteria for ADHD, including six established symptoms in the two main categories of the disorder -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These ratings are typically conducted over the course of six months, and cover both at home and in school. The ratings should be provided by those who know your child or yourself well, such as teachers, coaches as well as religious leaders, scouts, and parents.
Adults and children who are diagnosed with ADHD must exhibit symptoms that are debilitating, and can hinder their daily functioning at school, work, or play. The symptoms must manifest in the early years, typically before the age of 12. They aren't caused by a mental health problem.
The sensitivity and accuracy of ADHD evaluations can be improved by using neuropsychological and psychometric tests that measure IQ and cognitive performance. They should be utilized in conjunction with a clinician's interview and rating scales as part of a comprehensive assessment strategy. These assessments may include the administration of a standardized questionnaire, such as the ADHD Diagnostic Interview for Adults (DIVA), or an adaptive test that is computerized that allows for measurement of the speed of response short-term memory, executive functions. In the near future, digital technology like virtual reality and head motion sensors for continuous performance tests, could help improve the ecological validity by permitting people to immerse themselves into their natural environment instead of sitting in a clinic office.
Tests
If your GP or mental health professional suspects ADHD the doctor might refer you to an ADHD specialist. A thorough evaluation will consist of an in-depth interview, information from other sources such as your spouse or significant others, and standardized behavior ratings scales for ADHD. Based on the clinical findings, the evaluator may also request tests to check for any other conditions that could affect your symptoms, including depression, learning disabilities or a medical condition.
In what is an adhd assessment to conduct an accurate ADHD evaluation, the evaluator must determine if the symptoms significantly impact your life and functioning. The impairment can occur in a variety of environments, including your workplace, home or school, and social relationships. The evaluator needs to know what the impact of your condition has been on you in each situation. This will assist the evaluator identify the cause and make treatment recommendations.
In addition to the symptom ratings, a complete assessment will typically include one or more performance tests that are standard for ADHD. These tests are built on research that examines the behavior of those with ADHD and those who do not. These instruments can help overcome the limitations of a standard clinical interview by focusing more on specific behaviors rather than the overall functioning of an individual. These measures can assist evaluaters determine if a person is lying or trying to cheat on a test. This issue has been recognized by experts in the field for a long time.
A thorough ADHD assessment will include an examination of the brain or other neuroimaging procedures in addition to the normal test and symptom-rating scales. However, these tests are not commonly used in a clinical setting due to the cost and expose the patient to ionizing radiation.