How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
The process of confirming an ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking an online test or rating scale. The process includes an evaluation of both psychological and medical.
Doctors review medical and family histories which include old school records and past tests. Parents, teachers as well as children are interviewed about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are typically inherited.
Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that can be identified when a person is struggling to focus and pay attention to the details or begin and complete tasks that require focus. Many have other illnesses, such as depression or anxiety, that may cause similar symptoms. It is important to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough examination can help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder.
A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or a psychiatrist, psychologist, or neurologist with expertise in ADHD can conduct an evaluation. They will ask the patient questions and discuss 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 also ask about the family and medical history as well as their work and school life.
It is important that a doctor be aware of any problems a patient may be experiencing, such as financial troubles or relationship issues. The doctor may also wish to speak to the person's teacher or employer about any issues they've encountered regarding the performance of the person at the classroom or at work. The doctor will talk to parents, and may be required to interview other adults such as teachers, coaches, nannies, or coaches.
During the examination, the provider will take the person's medical history and perform an examination. The physical exam will check for conditions that can cause symptoms that look like ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid issues. They will also examine any relevant documents, like the person's work and education background.
The provider will also perform a psychological or behavioral test. It could be a list of symptoms, or an assessment system that measures the feelings of an individual about certain actions. They may also use cognitive and learning disabilities tests to determine if a person suffers from a learning impairment or any other disorder that could be similar to ADHD. They will also inquire about the person's lifestyle, such as whether they are in a stressful environment or suffer from any other illness that can make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also ask the person about their ability to collaborate with others and follow the instructions.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of ADHD interfere with many areas of life for children as well as adults. These symptoms include difficulties at work and in school as well as poor performance in activities outside of school, and tension in relationships. They also contribute to problems with driving and managing finances. The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is finding an expert in health care who is knowledgeable about ADHD. You can ask your child's physician to run a test or you can consult a psychiatrist who is certified in the field of mental illness.
The first thing a specialist will do is to interview the patient about the behavior of the person. Typically the doctor will inquire about symptoms for at least six months. This will ensure that the symptoms are consistent and they've remained constant throughout the time. The examiner will utilize a rating scale to evaluate symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders).
The specialist will also ask about any current issues and examine the patient's medical history, including any family history of ADHD. They will also review the person's driving and academic records as well as relationships and family issues. The examiner wants to know the person's lifestyle and if they are drug or alcohol user.
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 multiple settings and have been ongoing for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be debilitating and not caused by any other disease.
To confirm a diagnosis the doctor may conduct one or more tests of focus, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed using a computer. It involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, such as shapes or letters, that appear on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses the button when they spot the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores that indicate the degree of difficulty that the person has in focusing on tasks that require attention.
Treatment
A mental health professional will assess those who exhibit symptoms of ADHD. This could include a physical exam as well as a review of family and medical histories, and a mental assessment. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and how they impact the individual's functioning. It will also include standard ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests.
The clinician will also interview the patient and his significant other, if applicable. This is not to test honesty, but rather to get a better understanding of the patient's experiences and behavior. Many people suffering from ADHD have a difficult time recalling their childhood experiences and it may be beneficial to speak with others who have been around the patient for a long time. This information can help the doctor rule other conditions out that could cause similar symptoms.
For adhd tests online may interview the child's teachers and parents. This is particularly important when a child is having problems at school. Additionally, the evaluator will likely inquire about the child's life in the social world and how his or her school and home environments are structured. This is crucial because the social environment is the primary source of stress and problems for individuals with ADHD.
In adult patients, the doctor will use a similar scale, however it is more sophisticated and utilized to gather data from research studies on symptoms. In some instances the examiner will utilize computerized testing to determine ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, or ADHD-RS is the most frequently used test. It was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. The continuous performance test (CPT) is a different kind of test on computers that evaluates an individual's attention span.
The evaluator will decide 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 is diagnosed with ADHD, medications will likely be included in the treatment program. Stimulant medication is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and can provide rapid relief from symptoms. However, these medicines must be administered with care. Too much of a stimulant can cause heart issues or addiction. Medications that release into the body over time, like atomoxetine or guanfacine, are safer but don't work as fast as stimulants do. These medications may also not be available to children with certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment plan designed for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn to organize themselves better and develop strategies for improving their work and relationships. A therapist could teach the client how to utilize reminders such as alarms or daily planners to keep track of their goals. A therapist can assist people with ADHD manage their emotions and discover ways to cope better with stressors.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may conduct tests for adults suffering from ADHD that screen for anxiety and depression as well as learning disabilities and other disorders which may look similar to ADHD or coexist with it, such as seizures or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists may also perform an examination of the body and examine the medical records of the patient, their family history and behavior.
Certain therapists utilize computer tests to test adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability to keep attention on track and resist impulse-driven urges by presenting the person with visual targets on the screen. The test is designed to assess a person's cognitive functioning and can be utilized in conjunction with self-report questionnaires in order to provide the clinician with an objective assessment of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how a person's body will process medication. The test can help doctors select the best drug for each patient and prevent adverse negative side negative effects. However, this kind of test is costly and is not readily available. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to diagnose ADHD in the individual.