ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and perform an examination. They'll also rule out other conditions that may resemble ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include obtaining your school records and contacting previous teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one is having trouble keeping up at school, work, or home, has difficulty remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to organize it could be that you suffer from ADHD. An evaluation by a health care provider will help you determine whether this is the case, and in the event that it is the case, what treatment options are available.
The symptoms must be present in at least two settings (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months in order to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform for instance in class, forming close relationships or in working in a team. It is important to recognize that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your physician will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Your doctor will also go over your family history and any past medical or psychological tests you may have had. They will search for health problems, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders, that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you whether you've had symptoms in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms affect you now and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know if you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially when they are written down. This will help you keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture of how they affect you. You may also bring in older records like old reports or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a recent issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your doctor to rule out other conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in the character of a person. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatment more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding the disorder is fading away.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were unable to pay attention or incapable of concentrating. He also noted that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environments. The report is often credited as the beginning of official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, didn't include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which became the preferred treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition which included a variety of mental health conditions. The second edition of the manual included a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was an increase in 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 recognizes these as presentations rather than distinct types and says that they may change over time.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD, providing them with healthcare, funding, 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 Scotland guidelines on the condition. Private and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to find the genes responsible. This information can help develop better targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough examination to identify the problem. They collect data from the past of the patient as well as their family, education and employment history as well as social and personal. They might review old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions 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, lays out the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in children and adults. 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 doctor will usually talk to the person regarding their symptoms with the appropriate questionnaire to the specific circumstance. They will also use various rating scales that examine different aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on other criteria, such as "Do you find it difficult sitting still?" Do you struggle with organizing your time or activities?
They will conduct an examination for physical health. They will check to see whether there are any medical problems that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing problems. They will also ask the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these may be contributing to symptoms.
Anyone who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires cannot 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 more difficult to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child for ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily life. They also review a patient's mental health and family history.
They usually request that the person bring in report cards and school records for review, especially those from kindergarten through high school. adhd adults diagnosis may request copies of any previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological, including IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview portion in an adhd diagnosis evaluation. Additionally, they may interview family members, friends, teachers or employers as well. It is important to have thorough evaluations because those with untreated ADHD can experience serious problems, including financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failing in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the provider may ask the patient fill out standardized behavior ratings scales which are designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares behaviors of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These scores do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but they are an important element of the assessment process.
It is important to also assess the individual to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, and also medical ailments like thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to certain treatments. adhd diagnosis adult uk is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and to receive the right treatment.
To be considered to have ADHD, the child or adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptoms in at least two settings like school, home, and work. The symptoms should also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must have appeared in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must verify that the disorder was not caused by an illness of the mind or other concomitant conditions.