How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as easy as taking a test online or using an assessment scale. The process involves an evaluation of both psychological and medical.
Doctors look over family and medical histories which include old school records and tests from the past. Parents, teachers as well as children are interviewed about the symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often seen within families.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD can be diagnosed when a person struggles to focus and pay attention to the details or begin and complete tasks that require attention. But, there are many other disorders that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD as well, such as anxiety and depression. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis. A thorough examination can determine if symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist that has experience with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an evaluation. They will ask the patient questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also discuss the severity of their symptoms, how long it has been since they started, and how often they happen. They will inquire about the person’s medical and family background as well as their school and work experience, and even their family.
It is essential for a doctor to know about any problems that a person may be facing like financial issues or problems with relationships. The doctor might also want to speak to 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 the parents and may need to speak with other adults, such as teachers, coaches, or nannies.
During the exam the doctor will collect the patient's medical history and do an examination. The physical exam can be used to identify conditions such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders that can mimic symptoms of ADHD. They will also review the individual's education and work history as well as any other relevant documents.
testing for adult adhd will also conduct a psychological or behavioral test. This could be a checklist of symptoms or an assessment system that measures the way a person feels about certain behavior. They can also use cognitive or learning disabilities tests to determine if someone suffers from a disorder similar to ADHD or a learning problem. They'll also ask the person about their lifestyle and lifestyle, including whether they are in stressful situations or if they have any other illnesses which can increase ADHD symptoms. They will also inquire about the person's ability follow directions and interact with other people.
Diagnosis
The signs of ADHD interfere with many areas of life for children and adults. The symptoms include trouble at work and in school and in activities outside of school, and tension in relationships. These problems can also affect driving and finances. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to find an expert in health care who knows about ADHD. Your child's doctor may perform an assessment, or you may want to find a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
The first thing the specialist will do is interview the person about the behavior of the person. In general the doctor will inquire about symptoms for at least six months. This ensures that the symptoms are consistent and they've remained constant over time. The examiner will utilize a rating scale designed to evaluate symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
In addition to asking about current issues, the doctor will typically review the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health issues. He or she will also examine the person's driving and academic history, as well as relationship and family problems. The examiner will also need to be aware of the person's lifestyle and whether or not they suffer from any issues with alcohol or drugs.
To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the doctor must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be better explained by a different disorder. In general, the symptoms should be present in multiple situations and persist for at least six months. Additionally, the symptoms must be debilitating and not due to any other disease.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed by a computer and involves watching a series of visual stimuli, like letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The person watches the stimuli and then presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores to determine how much difficulty the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is typically evaluated for the disorder by a mental health professional. This will involve an extensive physical examination, a review of medical and family history, and a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and how they impact the individual's performance. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests.
The clinician will also speak with the patient and his significant other, if applicable. This is not a way to test honesty, but rather to find out more about the patient's experiences and behavior. It is common for people who suffer from ADHD to have difficulty recalling details from their childhood. It is beneficial to interview people who have known them for a lengthy time. This information will aid the doctor in determining other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
For children the evaluator may interview the children's teachers and parents. This is particularly important if the child is having difficulties at school. The evaluator can also inquire about the child's social life and how the home and school environment is structured. This is important because the social setting is the primary source of stress and challenges for individuals with ADHD.
In adult patients, the doctor will use a similar rating scale, but it is more sophisticated and used to collect research data on symptoms. In some cases the examiner will employ computerized testing to determine ADHD symptoms. The most commonly used test is called the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of computer test, the continuous performance test (CPT), is a measure of the capacity of an individual to maintain concentration for a specified amount of time.
The evaluator will decide if the individual 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 a part of the treatment program. Stimulant medication is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and provides rapid relief from symptoms. However, these medications should be administered with care. A high dose of stimulants could lead to addiction or heart problems. The drugs that release slowly into the body like atomoxetine or Guanfacine are more secure, but they don't work in the same way as stimulants. These drugs may not be available to children with certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is a crucial component of the treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can help people learn to improve their organization and devise strategies to improve their work and relationships. Therapists can teach the person how to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to keep on track. Therapists can also assist adults suffering from ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to manage stressful situations in their lives.
A psychiatrist or psychologist can administer tests to adults with ADHD that test for anxiety and depression, learning disabilities, and other disorders that could look similar to ADHD or coexist alongside it, like thyroid disorder or seizures. Psychiatrists can conduct a physical exam and look over the person's family history, medical records and behavior.
Some therapists employ computers to people test for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the capacity to sustain attention and resist impulsive urges by prompting the person by displaying visual targets on a screen. The test is designed to assess the person's cognitive function and can be used in combination with self-report questions to provide the doctor with an objective measure of a patient's reaction 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 medication and avoid adverse effects for each patient. However, this kind of test is expensive and is not easily accessible. The most reliable method to diagnose ADHD is through an experienced medical professional.