How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as simple as taking an online test or using a rating scale. The process includes an evaluation of psychological and medical aspects.
Doctors review medical and family histories including school records from the past as well as past tests. They also speak with parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are usually inherited.
Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that can be identified when a person struggles to stay on task and pay attention to the details, or start and finish tasks that require focus. Many suffer from other disorders, such as depression or anxiety, that can produce similar symptoms. That's why a clear diagnosis is so crucial. A thorough assessment will help determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who has experience with ADHD in adults or has experience in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask questions and speak to the person about their symptoms, how long they've been experiencing them, how often, and how severe they are. They will also inquire about the person's family history and medical history and also about their work and school activities.
It's important for a doctor to be aware about any problems in the life of a person, such as financial difficulties or issues with relationships. attention deficit disorder online test may also wish to talk with the person's employer or teacher regarding any issues they've experienced regarding the performance of the person at the classroom or at work. The doctor will talk to parents, and may also have to interview other adults like teachers, coaches, nannies, or coaches.
During the exam, the doctor will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct an examination. The physical can check for conditions that may cause symptoms that look like ADHD like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also look over the individual's academic and work history as well as any other relevant documents.
The provider will also perform an examination of the personality or psychological. This could be a checklist of symptoms or a rating scale that measures how the individual feels about specific behaviors. They may also use cognitive and learning disabilities tests to determine if the person suffers from a learning disability or any other disorder that could be similar to ADHD. They will also inquire about the person's lifestyle, such as whether they are in a stressful circumstance or suffer from any other health issues that could make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their ability to work with others and to follow instructions.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children across a range of aspects of their lives. They include difficulties at school and work, poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. They also cause issues in driving and managing finances. Finding a health professional who is familiar with ADHD is the first step in receiving a precise diagnosis. You could ask your child's doctor to perform a screening or you can talk to a psychiatrist who is skilled in treating mental illness.
The first thing a specialist will do is to interview the patient about his or her behavior. Typically, the doctor will ask about symptoms for at least six months. This will ensure that the symptoms have been constant over time. The examiner will employ an assessment scale that is designed to evaluate symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders).
The specialist will also inquire about any current difficulties and examine the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. They will also look at the person's driving and academic history and relationships and family issues. The examiner will also need to be aware of the person's lifestyle, including whether he or she has any problems with alcohol or drugs.
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 multiple settings and have been ongoing for at minimum six months. Moreover, the symptoms must be debilitating and not due to any other condition.
The specialist may administer one of the attention tests like the TOVA Continuous Performance Test to confirm the diagnosis. The TOVA test is administered by computer software and involves the observation of visual stimuli like the shapes or letters that appear on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores that indicate the level of difficulty the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
Someone who has symptoms of ADHD is usually assessed for the disorder by a mental health professional. This will involve an extensive physical exam as well as a review of medical and family background, and a psychiatric examination. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and how they impact the individual's performance. It will also include standardized ADHD behavior ratings scales and other psychological tests.
The doctor may also speak with the patient's spouse, if applicable. This is not a way to test honesty, but to find out more about the patient's life and behaviour. Many people with ADHD have a difficult time recalling their childhood experiences and it can be helpful to talk to other adults who have known the patient for a lengthy period of time. This information will help the clinician rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
For children the evaluator may interview the children's teachers and parents. This is especially important if a child is experiencing difficulties at school. The examiner may also inquire about the child’s social life, and how the home and school environment is structured. This is important because the social environment is the primary source of stress and problems for people with ADHD.
The doctor will use the same rating scale for adult patients. However it is more sophisticated. It is used to collect research data about symptoms. In some instances, the examiner may also use computerized testing to screen for signs of ADHD. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most widely used test. It was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers, the continuous performance test (CPT) is a measure of the capacity of an individual to maintain attention for a set amount of time.
The evaluator will determine whether the person meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). 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 teenager is diagnosed with ADHD medication is likely to be part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medication is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, and provides rapid relief from symptoms. However, these medications must be administered with care. Too much stimulant can lead to addiction or heart problems. The medications that enter the body over time, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine, are more secure, but don't perform as fast as stimulants do. These medications may also not be available for children suffering from certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is a crucial part of the treatment plan for adults who have ADHD. Therapists can help patients develop better organizational skills and discover ways to improve their work and social interactions. A therapist can show the client how to use reminders like alarms or daily planners in order to keep track of their goals. Therapists can help people with ADHD manage their emotions and discover ways to deal with stressors.
For adults who suffer from ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist can conduct tests to screen for anxiety, depression as well as learning disabilities and other disorders that can be similar to or coexist with ADHD such as seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists may also perform an examination of the body and review 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 urges by presenting the individual with visual targets displayed on the screen. The test measures the cognitive capacity of a person and can be used with self-reporting questions to give the doctor an objective measurement of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is available which can reveal the way in which a person's body metabolize medications. The test can be used to assist doctors in choosing the right drug and avoid any adverse side consequences for each patient. This type of testing is costly and not readily available. A medical professional is the most reliable method to diagnose ADHD in a person.