ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your past and perform physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood habits as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This may include finding your school records and getting in touch with former teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one struggles to keep up with school, work, or home, has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is struggling to get organized, you may have ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is true and if so what your treatment options are.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and be apparent in at minimum two different environments (school and home, for instance). The symptoms must also be affecting your ability to function for example in class, forming close relationships or in working in a team. It's important to realize that everyone has issues keeping track of their time and staying organized sometimes however, these issues are more severe for those with ADHD.
In order to make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you may have had. They will be looking for health issues like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, which can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire whether you've ever experienced symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). Your doctor will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you at the moment and in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It is helpful to bring your own list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will help you remember them and give your provider a complete picture of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring in old records such as old reports or performance evaluations. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long time. They can also help your provider rule out other problems, such as depression or anxiety that often exhibit the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or a sign of laziness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma surrounding the disorder is slowly fading.
In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were unfocused or unable to concentrate. He also noted that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and that they were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report has been considered to be the beginning of official recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric manual, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. But in 1955, the US FDA approved a stimulant drug that was the most popular treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968. It listed several mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's 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 increased awareness 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 views these as presentations, rather than distinct types, and says that they can change throughout the course of a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as an entire officially recognized adults with ADHD by providing them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. diagnosis for adhd in adults (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Private and non-profit organizations have also produced guidance. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to find the genes responsible for it. This knowledge could help in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the severity of the condition. If they are a doctor who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or a doctor trained in child and young health (a paediatrician), they will want to collect a range of details about the person's past that includes education, family, and social history. They will go through old school records and interview coaches, teachers, and other professionals who know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria to diagnose 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. A questionnaire tailored to the situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ various rating scales that look at different aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on other criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" Do you have trouble organizing your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will look to determine 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 person about their dietary and lifestyle habits in order to determine if they could be contributing to symptoms.
Someone who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult is likely to be asked to complete a questionnaire together with their partner or a close friend. This will help to gain personal insight that checklists and questionnaires are in no way able to provide. This is particularly beneficial for people with comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask them a series of questions on how the symptoms affect their daily lives. They also take a look at the family history of the patient and their mental health.
They can request a copy of the student's report card or school records, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may request copies of any previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological, including IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker conducts the interview portion in an evaluation of the severity of adhd. Additionally, they may interview friends, family members, teachers or employers as well. It is crucial to have a a comprehensive assessment because people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient fill out standardized behavior ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of people suffering from ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not an official diagnosis of ADHD but are an important part of the assessment process.
It is also important to evaluate the individual to determine if they have other conditions that could be similar to ADHD. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders and substance abuse, as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid diseases or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and be treated accordingly.
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, a child or an adult must meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptoms in at least two settings, such as school, home, and work. The symptoms must substantially affect the way they live of their lives. The symptoms must have manifested in childhood, and a psychiatrist must verify that the disorder wasn't caused by a mental illness or concomitant conditions.