ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a specialist who is trained in the disorder. They'll likely ask questions about your history and perform an examination. They'll also rule out conditions that may resemble ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood behavior because current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love struggles to keep up with 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. A health care provider's evaluation can help you determine if this is true and, if so, what treatment options there are.
The symptoms have to be present in at least two environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses. They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in some ways, like doing well in classes, forming close relationships, or functioning on teams. It's important to understand that everyone has problems keeping track of their time and staying well-organized at times, but these problems are more serious with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior and how it has impacted your life. The doctors will also review your family history, and any previous medical or psychological tests that you may have taken. They will be looking for health problems like thyroid issues and seizure disorders that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will ask whether you've ever experienced symptoms in childhood (technically before age 12). Your provider will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms are affecting you now and in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they are written down. This will help you remember them and give your physician a a complete picture of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring old records, such as old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine whether ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long period of time. They can also help your provider identify other conditions like anxiety or depression which can have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is slowly disappearing.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations about children who were unable to pay attention or incapable of concentrating. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk pointed out that these signs were more common in boys than girls and were unrelated to intelligence or the environment in which they lived. Still's report is often associated with the first formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs which were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA published its second edition which listed a number of mental health disorders. It included the symptoms of ADHD however they were still classified as hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was an increase in 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 considers these as presenting symptoms, not distinct types and states that they may change over a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) has released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally recognised with healthcare support and guidance for adults who suffer from ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued a guideline on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Other guidelines have been created by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to discover the genes that cause it. This information can help create better targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if they have a diagnosis. They collect data about the person's past including their family, education and employment history, as well as their social history. They might review the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they affect life. They will also look at how the symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. 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 particular situation. They may also employ different rating scales to look at various aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria. They also include questions like "Do you find it difficult to sitting down?" and "Do you have difficulty to organize your work or activities?"
They will perform an examination for physical health. They will check for any medical conditions that may be creating the symptoms or making them worse, such a thyroid dysfunction or hearing or vision issues. They will also inquire with the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if these could contribute to symptoms.
A person who is being assessed for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete an assessment together with their partner or a close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the individual that checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially useful for those suffering from multiple disorders like depression or anxiety. They often co-occur with ADHD and can make it difficult to recognize the symptoms.
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 lives. They also examine a patient's family history and their mental health.
They typically ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records for review, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They can request copies of any previous tests for neuropsychology or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will conduct the interview portion of an evaluation of the severity of adhd. They may also conduct interviews with family members, friends as well as teachers or employers. It is essential to have thorough evaluations because those who suffer from untreated ADHD may have serious issues such as financial issues (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor may ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares the behaviors of individuals with ADHD to those of people who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD but are an important aspect of the evaluation process.
It is also important to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, and medical conditions like thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to specific treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a proper diagnosis and to 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 display symptomatic behavior in at least two environments, such as home, school, and work. The symptoms must also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. Generally speaking, the symptoms should begin in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.