ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough assessment by a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They will likely ask you about your previous experiences and conduct an examination of your body. They will also look for conditions that may be similar to ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed unless there is evidence of early signs. This could include getting your school records as well as contacting previous teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up with school, work, or home, has difficulty remembering important dates or appointments, or is struggling to organize, you may have ADHD. A health care professional's assessment can help you determine if this is true and, if so, what treatment options there are.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, for example). They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in certain ways, such as performing well in class, developing close bonds, or working as a member of a team. It's important to realize that everyone has trouble staying organized and paying attention at times, but these problems are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
Your provider will ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Your doctor will also go over your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you may have taken. adhd adults diagnosis uk will search for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've had symptoms in your childhood (technically before the age of 12). Your provider will also be interested in knowing what your symptoms are doing to you right now and in the past. They'll also want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially when they are written down. This will help you remember the symptoms and provide your doctor with a an accurate picture of the way your symptoms affect you. You can also bring older records like old report cards or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long time. These records can help your provider determine if there are other issues like depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma around this disorder is dissolving.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations of children who were irritable and unable to focus. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were unrelated to the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited as the first formal recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, and listed several mental health conditions. It included symptoms of ADHD however they were still called hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
With the release of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was a 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 views these as presentations, not distinct types, and states that they could change over the course of a person's lifetime.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), published guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD by providing them with financial aid, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued a guideline on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been developed by charities and private organizations. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to discover the genes responsible. This information can help create better and more specific treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
An expert in ADHD conducts an extensive assessment to make the diagnosis. They collect information about the person's past as well as their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They will go through old school records and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they impact life. They will also look at how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, defines the criteria for determining ADHD in 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. The specialist will usually interview the person regarding their symptoms using the appropriate questionnaire to the specific situation. They also employ various rating scales to look at different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a number of other criteria. They include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" Do you struggle to organize your time or activities?
They will perform an examination of the body. They will look for medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such as thyroid problem, vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may contribute to symptoms.
If a person is being evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood the person will be asked to fill out an assessment with a partner or a close friend. This helps to uncover personal insight that questionnaires and checklists are in no way able to provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to recognize.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They also look into the family history of the patient and mental health.
They typically request that the person bring in their report cards and school records for review, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They may also request copies of previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological such as IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. They may also conduct interviews with family members, friends as well as teachers or employers. how is adhd diagnosed in adults is important to have an extensive evaluation as people who are not treated for ADHD can experience serious problems such as financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failure at colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those without the disorder. These scores are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important part in the assessment process.
It is also essential to examine the patient for any other medical conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use and medical illnesses, such as thyroid disease or head injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, therefore it is important that a proper diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or adult must meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptoms in two or more environments, like home, school or at work, and their symptoms must be affecting their daily functioning. Generally speaking, the symptoms should have started in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.