ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They'll likely ask questions about your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They'll also rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD like learning disorders, mood disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior since the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults is not diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. This may include finding your school records and contact with your former teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
Symptoms
You could be suffering from ADHD in the event that you or someone you know is having trouble keeping up at work, school or at home. If they can't remember important dates or appointments or cannot keep their schedules in order it is possible that they are suffering from ADHD. A visit to your health professional will help you determine if this is the case, and, if it is the case, what treatments are available.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two different environments (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months in order to be able to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. They must also be a major obstacle with your ability to function in some ways, like doing well in class, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It's important to realize that everyone has issues staying focused and organized sometimes however, these issues are more serious with ADHD.
To determine a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctors will also review your family history, and any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will check for health issues like thyroid disorders and seizures, which could cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
Your doctor will want be aware of whether your symptoms began in your early years (technically, before age 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms affect you now and how they've affected you in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to the appointment, particularly if you have them written down. This will aid in remembering them and give your provider a complete picture of how your symptoms affect you. You may also bring in old records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations. Having these documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or if it was diagnosed just recently. These documents can help your doctor to rule out other conditions including depression and anxiety that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a character flaw. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding this disorder is dissolving.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive and incapable of focusing. He also noted that these symptoms were more prevalent in boys than in girls and were unrelated to intelligence or home environment. Still's report has been credited as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not mention ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved the use of a stimulant drug, which was the most popular treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA released its second edition that included a list of mental health conditions. It included symptoms of ADHD even though they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.
With the release of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was a greater understanding 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 considers these to be different types of presentations and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole formally recognised with healthcare support, funding and guidance adults who suffer from ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Private organizations and charities have also developed guidelines. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to identify the genes that cause ADHD. This information could be helpful in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to establish a diagnosis. They will collect information from the patient's past as well as their family, educational and employment history, as well as their social history. They may review the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they impact life. They will also examine 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 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 specific questionnaire adapted to the particular situation will be utilized by the specialist to interview the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different rating scales to look at different aspects 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 different factors, including questions such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" Do you struggle to organize your time or activities?
They will conduct a physical examination. They will look for medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such a thyroid problem, hearing or vision issues. They will also ask the person about their dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they could contribute to symptoms.
A person who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult may be asked to complete a questionnaire with their partner or close friend. This will help to gain the personal insights that checklists and questionnaires are in no way able to provide. This is particularly beneficial for those with multiple disorders like anxiety or depression. They often co-occur with ADHD and can make it difficult to recognize the signs.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask a series of questions regarding how their symptoms affect their lives. They also look over the patient's mental health as well as family history.
They typically ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They might also request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests, including the results of IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
adhd diagnosis adults uk , psychologist or social worker typically is the person who conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. In addition, they could interview relatives, friends and teachers, as well. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation because people who are not treated for ADHD are susceptible to serious issues such as financial problems (impulsive spending), marital difficulties or failing in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, a doctor will typically ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales designed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behaviors of those suffering from ADHD to those of people without the disorder. These ratings are not an official diagnosis of ADHD but are an important part of the evaluation process.
It is also important to examine the person to determine if there are other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms 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 to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is crucial that a correct diagnosis is made and that the right treatment is offered.
To be considered to have ADHD, the child or adult must meet several criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must show symptomatic behavior in more than one setting like school, home and work, and the symptoms must seriously affect their everyday functioning. The symptoms must first be noticed in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other comorbid conditions.