How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as easy as taking online tests or using a rating scale. The process requires a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Doctors look over family and medical history, including past tests and old school records. They also talk to parents as well as teachers and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are typically seen through families.
Symptoms
ADHD can be diagnosed when a person struggles to focus or pay attention to specifics or to start and finish tasks that require focus. But, there are many other conditions that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD, including anxiety and depression. That's why a clear diagnosis is so important. A thorough examination can help determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who has experience with ADHD in adults or has experience in adult ADHD is able to conduct an evaluation. They will ask questions and talk to the person about their symptoms as well as the length of time they've been experiencing them regularly, how often, and how severe they are. They will inquire about the person’s family and medical background, their work and school experiences, and even the family.
It is important that a doctor knows about any issues a patient might be experiencing, such as financial troubles or relationship issues. They may also need to speak with the person's employer or teacher about any issues they've encountered with the person's performance at work or at school. The doctor will interview parents, and may also be required to interview other adults like teachers, coaches, nannies, or coaches.
During the examination, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and then perform a physical. The physical will look for conditions that may cause symptoms that look like ADHD like seizure disorders or thyroid problems. They will also look over any relevant documents, like the person's work and educational history.
The provider will also perform an assessment of the psychological or behavioral. It could be a list of symptoms, or a rating system that measures the way a person feels about certain actions. They may also take tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to determine if a person suffers from a learning impairment or other disorders that can be similar to ADHD. They will also ask the person about their daily routine and lifestyle, including whether they're experiencing stress situations or if they have any other illnesses which can cause ADHD symptoms. They will also ask about the person's ability to follow instructions and work with other people.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of ADHD can affect many areas of life for children as well as adults. The symptoms include trouble at school and at work as well as poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. These problems can also affect driving and finances. Finding a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD is the first step to receiving a precise diagnosis. The doctor of your child can conduct the test or you could decide to look for an expert psychiatrist who is specialized in mental illnesses.
The specialist will first interview the patient regarding their behavior. Typically doctors will ask about symptoms for at least six months. This will ensure that the symptoms are consistent and they have persisted for a long time. The examiner will utilize an assessment scale that is designed to assess the symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official guideline for diagnosing mental disorders).
In addition to asking about problems that are currently affecting the patient, the doctor will typically look over the patient's medical history as well as any family history of ADHD or other mental health issues. They will also examine the person's academic and driving history, as well as relationships and family issues. The examiner will also need to be aware of the person's lifestyle and whether or not they have problems with alcohol or drugs.
To establish the diagnosis of ADHD A specialist must be able to prove that the symptoms are not caused by any other disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in multiple environments and be present for at least six months. Moreover, the symptoms must be severe and not be due to 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 administered using a computer and involves observing visual stimuli like letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The user watches the images, and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores that show how much difficulty the person has in focusing on attention-related tasks.
Treatment
A mental health professional will evaluate a person who has symptoms of ADHD. This could include a physical exam, a review medical and family history, and a mental assessment. The test will consist of questions regarding symptoms and their impact on an individual's functioning in addition to standardized ADHD behavior rating scales as well as other psychological tests.
The doctor may also speak with the patient's spouse, if applicable. This is not a way to assess honesty, but to gain insight into the patient's life experiences and behaviours. Many people with ADHD struggle with recalling details from their childhood and it is helpful to speak with others who have known the patient for a long period of time. This can help the doctor determine if there are other conditions which may trigger similar symptoms.
For children who are evaluators, they will typically interview the children's teachers and parents. This is especially important if a child is experiencing problems at school. The evaluator may also ask about the child's social life and how the home and school environment is structured. This is important since the social setting is the primary source of stress and problems for people with ADHD.
The clinician will employ the same rating scale with adult patients. However, it is more sophisticated. It is used to gather research data about symptoms. In some instances, an examiner may use computerized testing in order to determine ADHD symptoms. The most frequently used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. The continuous performance test (CPT) is a different type of test on computers that evaluates the attention span of an individual.
For adolescents and young adults The evaluator will examine whether or not the individual is in compliance with 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 teen is diagnosed with ADHD medication is likely to be part of the treatment program. The stimulant medication is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, and can provide quick relief of symptoms. However, these medications should be administered with care. A high dose of stimulants can lead to addiction or heart problems. The medications that are released slowly into the body, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine are safer, but they don't work quite as quickly as stimulants. These medications also may not be an option for children suffering from some medical issues like Tourette syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an essential component of the treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD. Therapists can teach people how to organize themselves better and develop strategies for improving their relationships and work. For example, a therapist could teach the person to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on track. Therapists can also assist adults suffering from ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to cope with the stressors in their lives.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can administer tests to adults with ADHD which test for anxiety and depression as well as learning disabilities and other disorders that may appear similar to ADHD or coexist with it, such as seizures or thyroid disorders. Psychiatrists can also conduct a physical examination and look over the person's family history, medical records and their behavior.
Some therapists employ a computer test to help screen adults for ADHD symptoms. Read Much more measures the ability of a person's brain to maintain concentration and withstand impulsive impulses by presenting targets on the screen of a computer. The test is designed to gauge the cognitive performance of a person and can be used in conjunction with self-report questionnaires in order to provide the doctor with an objective measurement of the patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test method can be used to determine how a person's body will process medication. The test can assist doctors in selecting the right medication for each person and avoid harmful negative side negative effects. However, this kind of test is expensive and not easily accessible. A medical professional is still the most reliable way to determine ADHD in a person.