ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a specialist in the disorder. They'll likely ask about your medical history and conduct an examination of your body. They'll also rule out other conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits, since current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This means getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
You could be suffering from ADHD if you or someone you know is having trouble keeping up at school, work or at home. If they are unable to remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized, then you might be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment will help you determine if this is the case, and if so what your treatment options are.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two settings (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months in order to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. They should also significantly interfere in your ability to function in certain ways, such as performing well in classes, forming close relationships, or functioning on teams. It is important to recognize that everyone has problems paying attention and staying organized sometimes, but these problems are more serious with ADHD.
To make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also examine your family history, as well as any previous medical or psychological tests that you may have taken. They will also look for health issues, like thyroid disorders or seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to know if your symptoms started in childhood (technically, before age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms impact you today and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It's helpful to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you've written them down. This will aid in remembering the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate description of how your symptoms impact you. You can also bring older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. These documents can help your doctor to rule out other conditions like anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or laziness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatment increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed and the stigma around this disorder is dissolving.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations about children who were inattentive or incapable of concentrating. He also pointed out that these signs were more common in boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report has been credited as the first official recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, didn't include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were the main treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition, which included a variety of mental health disorders. The second edition of the APA's manual included a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
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 says that they could change over a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults with ADHD and provided them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations on the condition in Scotland. Private and non-profit organizations 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 knowledge may help to create better and more specific treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to establish an assessment and diagnose. They will collect information about the person's past, including their family, educational, employment and social history. They might review old school records or interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also examine how symptoms have changed with time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, lays out the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in both adults and children. 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. A customized questionnaire to the specific situation will be used by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different rating scales to look at different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a number of other criteria and include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your activities or work?"
They will conduct an examination for physical health. They will check to see if there are any medical problems that might be causing or making the symptoms worse for example, thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if these could be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is assessed for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to fill out a questionnaire together with their partner or a close family member. This will help to gain the personal insights that questionnaires and checklists unable to provide. This is particularly beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to spot.
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 go over the patient's mental health and family history.
They can request copies of the student's report cards or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They might also request copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
Typically, getting a adhd diagnosis , psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. They may also interview friends, family members, teachers, or employers. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation because people who suffer from untreated ADHD may have serious issues that include financial issues (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient complete standardized behavioral ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of those suffering from ADHD to those of people without the disorder. These ratings are not the diagnosis of ADHD but are an important aspect of the assessment process.
It is crucial to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders and substance abuse as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is crucial to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is given.
A person of any age must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptoms in more than one setting, like home, school or at work, and their symptoms must significantly interfere with their daily 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 a mental illness or comorbid condition.