ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults, diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely ask about your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They'll also rule out conditions that can mimic ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love struggles to keep up at work, school, 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 it is what the treatment options are.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms have to be present for a minimum of 6 months and be noticeable in at minimum two different environments (school and home, for example). They should also seriously interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It is important to recognize that everyone has problems paying attention and staying well-organized at times However, these issues are more serious for those with ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your provider will conduct an interview and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Providers will also review your family history and any past medical or psychological tests you may have had. They will check for health issues like thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to determine if your symptoms began in your early years (technically prior to age 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms affect you now and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It's helpful to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you have them written down. This will help you to recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture of how they impact you. You can also bring documents like performance evaluations from work or old report cards from school. Having these documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem throughout your entire life or began in recent times. They can also help your doctor rule out other problems like anxiety or depression which can have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or lazyness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma associated with this disorder is dissolving.
In adhd diagnosed presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were inattentive or who were unable to focus. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls, and were not related the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's mental health guideline, released in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were the main treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA released its second edition that included a list of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD even though they were still classified as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.
With the release of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was a greater acceptance and understanding 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 different types of presentations and states that they are able to 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 formally recognized with support from healthcare as well as guidance and funding for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Private organizations and charities have also developed guidelines. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to find the genes responsible. This information could be helpful in the future to create more specific and effective treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if they have an assessment and diagnose. They collect data about the person's past including their family, educational, employment and social history. They might look over 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 affect daily life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria used to diagnose 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. A questionnaire tailored to the specific situation will be administered by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different scales of assessment that look at different aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults while others will be based on different factors, including questions such as "Do you find it difficult sitting still?" and "Do you find it hard to organize your time or tasks?"
They will conduct a physical examination. They will check for any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to become worse, such a thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision issues. They will also inquire about the person's dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they might be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD in adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This can be particularly useful for people suffering from comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily life. They also look over the patient's mental health and family history.
They may ask for copies of the student's report card or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of previous psychological or neuropsychological tests such as IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker typically conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. Additionally, they may interview friends, family members and teachers as well. It is important to get an extensive assessment since people with ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases), marital difficulties, or failure at colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will usually ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behavior of people with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not a diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important part in the assessment process.
It is also essential to evaluate the individual for any other medical conditions that may be similar to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely than others to respond to certain treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
A person of any age must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments like school, home, and work. The symptoms must severely hinder the normal functioning of their lives. Generally, the symptoms must be present since the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder isn't caused by a mental illness or comorbidity.