How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as easy as taking online tests or using a rating scale. The process involves a medical and psychological evaluation.
Doctors examine family and medical history, including past tests and old school records. Teachers, parents, and kids are also interviewed about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are typically passed down from parents.
Signs and symptoms
When a person has problems staying on task, paying attention to details or completing tasks that require a lot of attention, it may be ADHD. But, there are many other disorders that can trigger the same symptoms as ADHD as well, such as anxiety and depression. This is why a precise diagnosis is so crucial. A thorough evaluation will help determine whether the symptoms are due to ADHD or other disorders.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is experienced with ADHD in adults or has experience in adult ADHD is able to conduct an evaluation. They will ask the patient questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also discuss the severity of their symptoms and how long it's been since they first started and how often they happen. They will also inquire about the family and medical history, as well as their work and school activities.
It's important for a doctor to be aware about any issues that a person may be facing for example, financial problems or issues with relationships. They might also have to talk to the person's employer or teacher about any problems they have had with the performance of the individual at work or in school. The doctor will talk to parents, and may also need to interview other adults like teachers and coaches, nannies or coaches.
During the exam, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and perform a physical. The physical can check for conditions that may cause symptoms that look like ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues. They will also review any relevant records, such as the person's employment and education background.
The doctor will also conduct a psychological or behavioral test. It could be a list of symptoms, or an assessment system that measures how an individual feels about certain behavior. They can also use cognitive or learning disabilities tests to determine if someone suffers from a disorder similar to ADHD, such as an issue with learning. They will also ask about the person's lifestyle, such as whether they are in a stressful situation or suffer from any other health issues that can make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their ability to work with others and follow the instructions.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children in a variety of areas of their lives. They can be a source of difficulty in school and at work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. They also contribute to problems with driving and managing finances. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to find an expert in health care who is knowledgeable about ADHD. You can ask your child's physician to perform a screening or seek out a psychiatrist trained in mental illness.
The specialist will first interview the patient regarding their behavior. Typically, the doctor will ask about the symptoms for at least six months. This will make sure that the symptoms are constant over time. The examiner will use a rating scale to evaluate symptoms of ADHD, such as the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official manual for diagnosing mental disorders).
In addition to examining problems that are currently affecting the patient, the doctor will typically review the patient's medical history as well as any family history of ADHD or other mental health problems. He or she will also examine the individual's academic and driving records as well as relationship and family problems. The examiner will also want to know about the lifestyle of the individual, including whether he or she has any problems with alcohol or drugs.
To diagnose ADHD, the doctor must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be better explained by another disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in two or more environments and be present for at least six months. The symptoms must also be debilitating and are not caused by another illness.
To confirm a diagnosis the doctor can administer one or more tests of focus, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed on a computer and involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, for example letters or shapes, appearing on the screen. The user watches the stimulus and presses a button whenever he or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores that show how much difficulty the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
A person with symptoms of ADHD is usually examined for the disorder by a mental health professional. This will involve an extensive physical exam as well as review of family and medical history, and a psychiatric assessment. resources will consist of questions about symptoms and their impact on an individual's functioning, the standardized ADHD behavior rating scales as well as other psychological tests.
The clinician may also interview the patient's significant other, if applicable. This is not a test of honesty, but to find out more about a patient's experiences and behaviour. Many people suffering from ADHD have a difficult time recalling their childhood experiences and it may be beneficial to talk to other adults who have known the patient for a lengthy period of time. This information can help the doctor rule other conditions out that may cause similar symptoms.
For children who are evaluators, they will typically interview the child's teachers and parents. This is particularly crucial when the child is experiencing difficulties at school. The evaluator may also ask about the child's life in the social world, and how the home and school environment is organized. This is important, as the social environment is an important source of stress for people with ADHD.
In adult patients, the physician will use a similar scale, but it is more sophisticated and used to gather research data about symptoms. In some instances the examiner will employ computerized testing to detect ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most widely used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers is the continuous performance test (CPT) is a test that measures the ability of an individual to hold focus for a certain amount of time.
The evaluator determines whether the individual is in compliance with the ADHD diagnostic criteria as defined 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 will probably be part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medication is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and offers rapid relief from symptoms. These drugs must, however, be administered with caution. Too much stimulant can cause heart issues or addiction. The drugs that release slowly into the body like atomoxetine and Guanfacine are more secure however they don't perform in the same way as stimulants. These medications also may not be a viable option for children who have some medical issues, such as Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help patients develop better organizational skills and discover ways to improve their work and social interactions. A therapist can show the person how to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to keep on track. Therapists can help people with ADHD manage their emotions and find ways to deal with stressors.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can administer tests to adults suffering from ADHD which test for depression and anxiety as well as learning disabilities and other disorders which may look similar to ADHD or coexist alongside it, such as thyroid disorder or seizures. Psychologists may conduct a physical exam and look over the person's medical history, family history and their behavior.
Some therapists use computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability of a person's brain to maintain attention and resist impulsive impulses by presenting visual targets on the screen of a computer. The test measures a person's cognitive function and can be used in conjunction with self-report questions to provide the doctor an objective measurement of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is available which can reveal how the body of a person will process medications. The test can be used to assist doctors in choosing the right medication and avoid adverse consequences for each patient. This kind of test can be expensive and is not widely available. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to determine ADHD in a person.