ADHD Diagnoses Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
ADHD Diagnoses Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.
The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these signs. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and performing physical exam. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must follow certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in home, school and social environments. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and interrupting other people.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two settings that cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months.
If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for details about the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main settings, such as home and work. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at minimum six months.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or find it difficult to find an occupation. These people also need to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The newer definition takes into account the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder manifests itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who read more know the patient well and also standard rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.