How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
The process of confirming an ADHD diagnosis isn't as easy as taking a test online or rating scale. The process requires a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Doctors review medical and family history, including past tests and old school records. Teachers, parents and children are interviewed about the symptoms. ADHD symptoms are usually passed down from parents.
Symptoms
If a person is having trouble staying on task and paying attention to the details or completing tasks that require a lot of focus it could be ADHD. Many have other illnesses like depression or anxiety, that can produce similar symptoms. It is crucial to make an accurate diagnosis. A thorough evaluation can determine if symptoms are caused by ADHD or a different disorder.
A mental health professional who has expertise in adult ADHD or psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist with expertise in ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask the person questions and talk about their symptoms. They will also discuss the severity of their symptoms and how long it has been since they first started and how often they occur. They will ask about the person's family and medical background along with their educational and work experience, as well as their family.
It is essential that a doctor is aware of any problems a patient may be experiencing, such as relationship or financial issues. They might also have to speak with the person's employer or teacher about any issues they've experienced with the individual's performance at work or in school. For children the doctor will talk to the parents and may need to interview other adults such as coaches, teachers or parents.
During the exam, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and perform a physical. The physical exam will check for conditions that can cause symptoms that look like ADHD or other disorders, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also look over any relevant records, such as the person's job and educational history.
The provider will also conduct a psychological or behavioral test. This could be a checklist of symptoms or a rating system that determines the way a person feels about certain behaviors. They may also use tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to see if the person suffers from a learning impairment or any other disorder that could be similar to ADHD. adult testing for adhd may also inquire about the person about their daily routine in relation to stress, such as whether they're experiencing stress situations or if they have any other conditions that could exacerbate ADHD symptoms. They will also inquire about the person about their capacity to collaborate with others and follow instructions.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect children and adults in many different areas of their lives. They include difficulties at school and work, poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. These issues can also impact driving and finances. Finding a healthcare professional who is well-versed in ADHD is the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis. Your child's doctor may perform the test or you might want to find an expert psychiatrist who is specialized in mental illness.
The doctor will then interview the patient regarding their behavior. In general, the doctor will ask for symptoms that have been present for at least a month. This will make sure that the symptoms are consistent over time. The examiner will utilize an assessment scale to evaluate symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5.
adult testing for adhd will also inquire about any current problems and look over the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. They will also look at the person's driving and academic history and family and relationship problems. The examiner is interested in knowing the person's habits and whether he or she is a drug or alcohol addict.
To determine ADHD, a doctor must be convinced the symptoms are not related to any other disorder. The symptoms must be present at least two times and for at least six months. The symptoms must be debilitating and not caused by any other illness.
To confirm a diagnosis, the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed by a computer and involves observing a series of visual stimuli, such as letters or shapes, appearing on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli, and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores that show how much difficulty an individual has with attention-related tasks.
Treatment
A mental health professional will examine a person who has symptoms of ADHD. This will include an extensive physical examination as well as a review of family and medical history and a psychiatric evaluation. The examination will include questions about symptoms and how they impact the individual's performance. It will also include standard ADHD scales for behavior as well as other psychological tests.
The doctor can also talk to the patient's significant other, if applicable. This is not to test honesty, but rather to get a better understanding of the patient's experiences and behaviors. It is common for people with ADHD to have difficulty recalling details from their childhood. It is beneficial to interview people who have known them for a lengthy time. This can help the doctor determine if there are other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
The evaluator will often interview the children's parents and teachers. This is particularly important in the event that a child is experiencing issues at school. The examiner may also inquire about the child's life in the social world, and how the school and home environment are structured. This is vital, as the social environment can be a major source of stress for people with ADHD.
The clinician will utilize the same rating scale with 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 most frequently used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is a different type of test using computers that assesses the attention span of an individual.
For young adults and adolescents The evaluator will look at whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. 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 will probably be a part of the treatment program. The stimulant drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer immediate relief from symptoms. However, these medicines should be administered with care. Too much stimulant can lead to addiction or heart problems. Medications that release into the body in time, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine, are safer but don't work in the same way as stimulants do. These drugs might not be the best option for children suffering from some medical issues such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is a different component of a treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn better organizational skills and find strategies to improve their work performance and social relationships. For example, a therapist could help a person learn to use reminders like alarms or daily planners to help them stay on track. Therapists can also help adults with ADHD learn to manage their emotions more effectively and find ways to manage the stressors in their lives.
For adults suffering from ADHD, a psychologist or psychiatrist may administer tests that test for depression, anxiety as well as learning disabilities and other disorders that can appear similar to or coexist with ADHD such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can also conduct an examination of the body and review the medical records of the patient, their family history and behavior.
Some therapists utilize computers to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses the ability of a person to keep focus and resist impulses by showing visual targets on the computer screen. The test is designed to assess a person's cognitive functioning and can be utilized in conjunction with self-report questionnaires to provide the doctor with an objective measurement of a patient's reaction to therapy.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how a person's body will metabolize medication. The test can aid doctors in selecting the most effective drug and avoid side negative effects for every patient. However, this type of test is costly and not easily accessible. A medical professional is the most reliable way to identify ADHD in the individual.